Saturday 21st March
The thin high cloud that drifted across from the northeast mid-morning on Friday limited the strength of the sunshine and hence the maximum temperature of 13.6C at 14.00. This was the coolest day since the 16th but still 2.8C above average. As in the past three nights, the clear skies resulted in the residual warmth very slowly dissipating into the atmosphere after 16.00 with a minimum of -0.1C at 06.23 early Saturday, just after sunrise in Marlborough at 06.08. This was aided by the lack of any wind movement to stir up the air as it became calm after 19.10, for the whole night.
Saturday arrived with muted sunshine at first through thin high cloud and misty conditions. By 08.30 the sun had risen above the thicker cloud and began to shine strongly as it burnt back the misty conditions. The thermometer had recovered to 3.9C by 08.00.
We have a fine weekend ahead, however, the forecast surface pressure charts indicate a cold front edging in from the northwest that will see thin cloud arriving during Sunday and thus a lower maximum again. By Wednesday we will come under the influence of a low pressure system centred near Iceland. This depression will produce an air stream from the west however, the air will have originated close to Iceland that will result in maxima close to or perhaps just below average for March. This will be such a contrast to the recent very warm days.
Met Office transforms meteorologist training for a changing world
The Met Office and University of Plymouth have launched a multi-million-pound collaboration to co-design and co-deliver a new training programme for early career meteorologists.
• The collaboration combines the Met Office’s operational expertise in weather and climate intelligence, with the University of Plymouth’s academic capabilities.
• The first cohort of learners will begin the newly designed programme in autumn 2026.
Early-career meteorologists will benefit from a completely transformed learning and development programme, as the Met Office works with the University of Plymouth to co-design and deliver a new era of training for the profession.
Following a competitive tender process, the agreement began in February 2026 and combines the Met Office’s world-leading operational expertise with the University of Plymouth’s excellence in innovative learning design and environmental and climate-related disciplines. Together, they will build a Foundation Operational Meteorology Programme fit for a profession being transformed by climate change, extreme weather and artificial intelligence.
The collaboration will also open more diverse routes into the profession, better recognising students’ previous experience and creating clearer career progression pathways – all enhancing career opportunities and making meteorology more accessible to people from a wider range of backgrounds.
Continues tomorrow