2025-04-03T10:21:18Z

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The United Kingdom is experiencing an unexpected surge of warm weather, with temperatures in some regions predicted to surpass those in the Algarve, Portugal. A stunning photograph from Midhurst in West Sussex captures two deer amidst the blooming daffodils in Ryhill, Wakefield, heralding the arrival of an early spring.

In response to the dry and windy conditions, the Met Office has issued an amber wildfire warning for various parts of England, southern Scotland, and Northern Ireland, which will remain in effect until Monday. The warning comes as the region braces for potential wildfires, exacerbated by the current lack of rainfall and strong winds.

This weekend, temperatures across England, Wales, and parts of Scotland are forecasted to remain comfortably in the mid to high teens. The skies are expected to be predominantly clear, with only some clouds making an appearance over eastern Scotland and England on Saturday.

On Friday afternoon, southern England could enjoy predicted highs in the low 20s Celsius. In stark contrast, the Algarve is expected to see highs of only 18°C, along with some showers, highlighting the unusual weather patterns experienced in the UK.

It is possible that the UK will witness temperatures reaching 23°C (73°F) this Friday, as the predominantly clear skies provide a bright and sunny start to April. March was notably the sunniest month in England since records began in 1910, according to the Met Office, with the UK experiencing only 43% of the average rainfall for that month.

Interestingly, the highest temperature recorded in the UK this year so far was 21.3°C, noted in Chertsey, Surrey and Northolt, London, on March 20. This record could potentially be broken as London, Reading, Oxford, and Cambridge are all expected to bask in the warmth of 22°C on Friday afternoon. Meanwhile, Cardiff and Carmarthen in Wales are projected to reach around 21°C.

Conversely, Scotland and Northern Ireland are expected to be relatively cooler, with Edinburgh likely to see a high of 11°C and Belfast at around 16°C.

As the weekend approaches, temperatures are expected to cool slightly, peaking at around 19°C in southern England. In light of the increasing wildfire risk, the public is strongly advised to refrain from lighting outdoor fires. The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) has warned of a “very high to extreme risk” of fires spreading under the current conditions.

The combination of dry vegetation, which is significantly more flammable due to last month's minimal rainfall, and strong winds creates an ideal environment for wildfires. In March, England recorded a total of 185.8 hours of sunshine, marking it as one of the driest months in history, with Wales also ranking among its driest.

The recent weather conditions have left vegetation much drier than usual, which poses a higher risk for potential fires compared to the comparatively wetter conditions experienced in 2024 when more vegetation thrived. Forecasters predict strong winds will persist in the coming days, with gusts reaching up to 34 mph in England and southern Scotland on Friday and Saturday, and remaining in the 20s across the country into Sunday.

The National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) is urging the public to avoid the use of disposable barbecues in parks and the countryside, as well as to be mindful of discarding items such as cigarettes and glass bottles that could ignite fires.

Some regions in south-west England and Wales may witness light rain on Friday morning, though this is expected to clear by mid-morning. The forecast suggests that Saturday and Sunday will largely be dry, before rain arrives in northern Scotland on Monday afternoon, with some areas of eastern England and Scotland potentially experiencing low cloud and mist.

As next week unfolds, high pressure is anticipated to settle over the UK once again, bringing lighter winds and more dry, sunny weather. This climatic shift is expected to push temperatures above the seasonal average, maintaining the warm spell.