Sunday sizzler! Weather maps reveal where will hit 17C today as Britain basks in spring sunshine – before temperatures plummet next week with Met Office issuing ‘polar vortex’ warning
By KATHERINE LAWTON
Published: 05:04 EDT, 9 March 2025
Updated: 05:17 EDT, 9 March 2025
A weekend of basking in the sun is set to continue today as UK temperatures peak to 17C in some UK cities. London and Cardiff should see the warmest weather this afternoon, said to be even hotter than the Balearic islands and Costa del Sol. The sunny Sunday skies finish off a week of delightful spring weather following one of the dreariest winters in history.
However, temperatures are set to plummet next week, with rainy showers and overnight frosts predicted to hit much of the country from Tuesday. A polar vortex collapse is said to be behind the drop in temperatures with the UK facing Sudden Stratospheric Warming.
A Met Office spokesperson told GB News: ‘The stratosphere polar vortex is now weakening rapidly. Over the last few days, the forecasts have become very confident and we are almost certain there will be a sudden stratospheric warming in mid-March. This is when the mid stratospheric wind is predicted to reverse from westerly to easterly.’
Warmer than holiday hotspots
The following week is set to transition to even more unsettled conditions, according to the Met Office, with spells of strong winds and rain in some parts of the UK. It comes after Craig Snell, a meteorologist at the Met Office, said conditions could reach 18C today in parts of East Anglia, north-west England, the north Midlands and north Wales.
For much of the UK it will be a fine and sunny day, he said. There are a few exceptions in the far north of Scotland but it will generally be dry and sunny.
Fog and mist
Thick clouds of fog swept across the River Tyne this morning as the weather started to take a turn in parts of the UK already. The iconic bridges which connect Newcastle and Gateshead were barely visible as joggers and walkers battled through the mist. The famous Quayside Market was also hard to spot as pedestrians struggled to see more than a few metres ahead.
According to the Met Office, the fog in the region is set to lift by late morning and the sun is expected to shine all afternoon.
Conclusion
As the UK basks in the warm sunshine today, it’s worth noting that temperatures will drop significantly next week. The Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning for the south coast of England, advising motorists to give extra time for their commutes as visibility is reduced to less than 100m in places.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: When will the warm weather end?
A: Temperatures are expected to plummet next week, with rainy showers and overnight frosts predicted to hit much of the country from Tuesday.
Q: What is causing the drop in temperatures?
A: A polar vortex collapse is said to be behind the drop in temperatures with the UK facing Sudden Stratospheric Warming.
Q: Will the warm weather return?
A: The Met Office has not issued any predictions for a return to warm weather, but it’s possible that temperatures will rise again in the future.
Q: What are the average temperatures in March?
A: Across the UK, March temperatures average at a daily high of 9C, according to Met Office data collected from 1991 to 2020.
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