Warmer temperatures are set to sweep across the UK this week, with southern areas expected to enjoy highs of up to 17C following the aftermath of Storm Ashley. Exeter is forecasted to be the warmest spot, basking in 17C on Tuesday, while cities like London, Brighton, Bristol, Bournemouth, and Southampton will also experience similar mild conditions. The arrival of this warmer weather comes after a period of rain and wind alerts that led to travel disruptions across the country in the wake of Storm Ashley over the weekend.
The Met Office had issued an amber warning for strong gusts of wind, prompting concerns about potential travel disruptions. Several flights were cancelled at airports in Belfast City, Dublin, Edinburgh, Glasgow, and Aberdeen as wind speeds exceeded 80mph in some areas. However, a new weather front moving in from northern Europe is expected to bring clearer skies and drier weather to southern regions starting Tuesday, alleviating the impact of lingering fog at the beginning of the week.
In contrast, northern parts of the UK will experience slightly cooler temperatures, with cities like Sheffield, Manchester, Leeds, and Newcastle hovering between 13C and 15C. Scotland is anticipated to be the coolest area, with highs ranging from 10C to 12C, potentially dropping to 9C in some northern locations. The Met Office forecasts that any remaining fog will disperse on Tuesday, leading to predominantly dry conditions with sunny intervals in many areas.
Met Office meteorologist Amy Bokota explained that a weather front lingering through much of the day will bring dry and clearer conditions, with a second frontal system from the Northwest expected to introduce cloud cover and light rain into Tuesday morning. She mentioned that it will be a bright day away from mist and fog patches, which are expected to clear rapidly. As the day progresses, a band of rain will move southeast, breaking up into showers as brighter conditions develop later on.
Looking ahead to the weekend, temperatures are likely to return to average levels compared to previous weeks, with isolated fog patches in the north and warmer conditions in southern areas. Overall, southern regions can expect mild temperatures and sunshine, while the north may experience a stronger westerly breeze, with temperatures remaining in the low double digits.