The Met Office has declared today the hottest day of the year so far, as temperatures soared to 20.9C in Wales. But snow is forecast for northern areas by the end of March
The Met Office has confirmed today as the warmest day of the year so far as Britons experience an obscure meteorological phenomenon. The national weather service reported that temperatures climbed to 20.9C in Gogerddan, Wales this afternoon, surpassing the previous high of 19.2C recorded on March 5 in London. The capital reached 20.2C today.
Conditions are forecast to become “chilly” later this evening and into tomorrow morning, the Met Office warns, though fortunately most areas will enjoy “a warm and sunny day” tomorrow. Temperatures are anticipated to climb to around 17C or 18C quite widely. The Met Office adds: “Dry with sunny spells for many as we move into the weekend. The risk of rain across northern Scotland Saturday, perhaps more widely in the north Sunday. Turning cooler.”
It’s been so toasty here in the UK – with highs of 22 celsius observed – that it’s been putting Spain in the shade. That’s right – over in Madrid the highs have been a measly 20.3 celsius today.
The organisation explained that today’s elevated temperatures resulted from the Foehn effect, which develops when humid air is pushed up one side of a mountain where it cools. As the air crosses over the mountain’s summit, it drops rapidly and heats up, creating high temperatures on the leeward side.
In the Rocky Mountains, this phenomenon is often dubbed ‘the Chinook’ or ‘ snow eater’. In the Andes, it’s known as ‘the Zonda’. The Met Office elaborates: “In the UK, foehn events are most commonly observed in the Scottish Highlands. Moist westerly winds from the Atlantic are forced over the mountains, bringing wet weather to the west whilst the east enjoys warmer, sunnier conditions.”, reports the Mirror.
However, peering further into the future, the Met Office predicts a potential dip in temperatures later this month, with snow even forecasted for some areas.
The Met Office’s outlook for 22nd to 31st March suggests conditions will become “more changeable” and “rather unsettled” in certain locations as “Atlantic frontal zones cross the UK”.
“These are likely to be most active in the north and somewhat weaker further south, closer to a ridge of high pressure extending northeast from the subtropical Atlantic,” the Met Office explained.
Consequently, Brits could experience “a briefly widely colder interlude with northerly winds during the final week of March”. This could usher in “potential for some snow, especially for northern areas”.
The Met Office further notes: “Widely strong winds could also develop around this time. By the end of March, high pressure may become rather more dominant with plenty of dry weather, but with some overnight fog and frost.”