The Met Office is in the news for severe storms, heatwaves, and extreme weather across the UK and Europe. Britain’s weather watchdog since 1854.
Since the start of the week, the UK has experienced dry, sunny weather driven by high pressure, but recent shifts in wind patterns are causing instability. Temperatures are rising, but unsettled conditions with rain and thunderstorms are expected to develop by the weekend, just in time for the bank holiday.
The UK continues to experience record rainfall and flooding, with over 100 flood warnings in place. Recent months have seen historic rainfall levels, driven by a blocked jet stream and high-pressure systems. Conditions are expected to turn colder later this week, with some relief forecast for the weekend.
On March 3, 2026, a total lunar eclipse, known as a blood moon, was visible across the Americas, eastern Asia, and Australia, turning the moon a copper-red as it passed through Earth's shadow. The eclipse lasted about 5.5 hours with totality near one hour. The UK missed the eclipse due to moonset timing. Additionally, a rare six-planet alignment occurred around February 28 and March 1, visible to the naked eye in many regions.
A plume of Saharan dust, carried by warm southerly winds following Storm Regina, has reached the UK, causing vivid sunsets and hazy skies. The dust, which can deposit reddish-brown residues on surfaces, is most visible in eastern England. The phenomenon is temporary, with skies clearing by Saturday.
A yellow weather warning is in effect for northern and western Scotland, with gusts up to 80 mph expected. Winds will spread across the UK on Thursday, followed by a drop in temperatures and wintry weather, including snow on higher ground.
Multiple tornadoes and severe storms swept across northern Illinois and Indiana on March 11, causing fatalities, injuries, and extensive property damage. Recent updates confirm ongoing rescue efforts and widespread damage, with at least two deaths and dozens injured. The storms also caused power outages and disrupted transportation across the region.
Multiple sources report a rare geomagnetic storm causing the Aurora Borealis to be visible as far south as Norfolk, UK, on March 21, 2026. Forecasters expect the lights to be visible again tonight, driven by recent solar activity and coronal mass ejections, with optimal viewing conditions in dark, clear skies.
Storm Dave is expected to cause strong winds up to 90mph and heavy snow in northern Scotland over the weekend. The Met Office has issued yellow warnings for wind and snow, predicting travel disruptions, power cuts, and potential damage across most of the UK, especially Scotland. The storm forms from a deep Atlantic low-pressure system.
Storm Dave is causing severe weather across the UK, with gusts up to 90mph and heavy snow in northern Scotland. Multiple weather warnings are in place, predicting travel disruptions, power cuts, and blizzard conditions. The storm is expected to clear by Monday, leaving a mixed Easter forecast.
Storm Dave brought high winds and snow across parts of Scotland, northern England, and Wales on Easter Sunday. Warnings were issued and later lifted as conditions improved. The storm caused ferry disruptions, fallen trees, and travel restrictions, with gusts reaching up to 93 mph. Power outages and flood alerts were also reported.
The UK has seen a significant warm spell, with temperatures reaching up to 25°C, surpassing the year's previous high. This follows stormy Easter weather caused by Storm Dave. Temperatures will drop sharply later this week, with unsettled conditions returning by Thursday and into the weekend.
The UK has experienced its warmest April day on record, reaching 26.6°C in London, driven by southerly winds from Europe. This brief heatwave has shifted to cooler, unsettled weather with rain, gales, and snow in some areas. Temperatures are expected to stay near seasonal norms next week, with ongoing variability.
Temperatures are rising across multiple regions, driven by ongoing climate patterns. Spain, Brazil, and North America are experiencing above-average heat, with forecasts indicating these trends will continue. A potential super-strength El Niño is contributing to global warming, impacting weather patterns worldwide. This story is current as of Mon, 20 Apr 2026.