Pollen levels are forecast to be “very high” today
The UK recorded peak temperatures of 21C on Thursday, March 20, on the first official day of spring – but now the Met Office has warned that there could be “thundery” and “unsettled” conditions on the horizon.
Across the country, Friday is set to be cloudy and mild in the morning, with outbreaks of rain during the day and possible thunder in parts.
The Met Office wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter: “A dry and fine start to Friday across central and eastern areas, albeit cloudier than Thursday. Western areas will see showery outbreaks of rain move northwards, possibly heavy and thundery in places.”
Met Office Deputy Chief Meteorologist Steven Keates said: “While Friday will be another warm day for many, we start to see some wet weather arriving, initially in Cornwall but gradually moving to parts of Wales and central and southern England later in the day.
“This heralds the move to something more unsettled for the UK’s weather on Saturday, with more rain or showers developing for much England, Wales and Northern Ireland through the day, and some heavier bursts likely in places. Western parts of Scotland are also likely to see rain on Saturday, with this gradually moving eastwards across the rest of Scotland through the weekend.”
“Unsettled weather, with occasional rain or showers for many, will continue on Sunday, with plenty of cloud around as well.”
Looking further ahead, a rather changeable pattern is becoming established into next week, with some rain pushing east across the UK at times, but some drier interludes to be had as well.
Looking specifically at the weekend weather in Greater Manchester, the temperature will remain fairly warm on Saturday, highs of 18C and lows of 9C, but will be rainy in the morning and evening.
Sunday is forecast to be drier in Greater Manchester, with sunny spells and temperatures reaching 15C.
The Met Office has also warned of “very high” alder pollen levels in the Greater Manchester area on Friday, March 21, to drop to just medium levels over the weekend and beyond.
Yesterday, March 20, the Met Office took so social media to warn Brits that the pollen season has officially begun. They wrote on X: “The Met Office Pollen Forecast is now LIVE.
“Tree pollen season has already begun, with birch pollen levels expected to be high this year.”
Yolanda Clewlow, UK Pollen Forecast Manager at the Met Office, said: “For those who are allergic to birch pollen, the season for this species is likely to be high, largely due to the conditions last spring and summer when pollen was forming on some trees.”
The pollen forecast can be found on the Met Office website alongside weather forecast for individual areas.
