UK temperatures to hit 14C as wintry spell ends

A major UK weather shift is here

A major change in the UK's weather pattern is now underway. The recent cold spell, marked by frost, ice, and hill snow, is ending as temperatures are set to rise by up to 10C starting Friday.

The blocking pattern that locked in the wintry conditions is being pushed away. Milder air from the Atlantic will dominate for at least the next week.

Temperatures set to jump significantly

Recent days saw daytime highs of only 4-5C (39-41F) and overnight lows as cold as -9C (16F) in Scotland. That cold air is now moving east.

A shift to south-westerly winds will bring a pronounced warm-up. Daytime temperatures will reach 10-14C (50-57F) across many areas over the weekend and into next week.

Nights will also be milder, typically between 5-9C (41-48F), greatly reducing the risk of frost. This shift ends a notable cold streak in Scotland, which had experienced its longest wait to reach 12C (54F) since 1986.

Why the weather pattern is changing

The stubborn area of high pressure over Scandinavia that defined the start of 2026 is finally breaking down. This allows milder Atlantic air to flow consistently across northern Europe.

The jet stream, a key driver of weather systems, is also shifting north. This new position will keep the UK within a warmer air mass for the foreseeable future.

Flood risk remains high despite warmth

The shift to milder weather does not mean drier weather. It will be accompanied by further spells of rain from the Atlantic, with the heaviest falls expected over western hills.

The ground is already saturated from a relentlessly wet period. Key statistics include:

• Parts of Cornwall have seen rain on 50 consecutive days.
• Katesbridge, Northern Ireland, and Aboyne, Scotland, have already received half a year's average rainfall in just a few weeks.
• A large number of flood warnings, particularly in southern England, remain in effect.

The coming rain, combined with rapid snowmelt from the rising temperatures, means the flood threat will persist well into March. The forecast indicates unsettled, wet conditions are likely to last for at least another month.