British Isles weather, March 2018

On the 28th a lengthy period of rain crossed S Britain, and rain persisted in NE Scotland. Otherwise, there were bright spells and showers; these conditions spread to most southern counties during the day - which was generally quite cold. (Helens Bay 11.6C, Lerwick 3.1C maximum, Drumnadrochit -0.9C minimum, Kirkwall 20.8 mm, Tiree 8.5 h.)

Many places had a frost into the 29th, which was slight except in some northern areas. There were then sunny spells before showers and some longer spells of rain moved NE'wards across most S and Cent areas during the day. Isolated thunder occurred in S Britain. Away from some of the brighter areas, it was quite cold - very cold in N Scotland, where there was a little snowfall. (Hull East Park 12.2C, Lerwick 3.3C maximum, Dalwhinnie -7.0C minimum, Hurn 13.8 mm, Stornoway 12.2 h.)

Overnight into the 30th outbreaks of rain continued to move N'wards across northern regions overnight, turning to snow as they progressed across parts of N England and Scotland. S Britain had a mix of showers, a touch of frost overnight and a few fog patches. During the day, there was some sunshine, mainly in W areas, but further rain moved N'wards across S Britain, except Cornwall, and continued over Scotland. It was mostly cold or very cold, except locally in N England. (Levens Hall 10.6C, Balmoral 2.4C maximum, Dalwhinnie -2.3C minimum, Killowen 21.2 mm, Tiree 9.4 h.)

The 31st was mostly cold or very cold and cloudy with outbreaks of rain, and some snow in parts of Scotland. It was sunny across N Scotland. (Chertsey Abbey Mead 9.9C, Fylingdales 1.8C maximum, Baltasound -3.3C minimum, Okehampton 31.2 mm, Lerwick 11.3 h.)