UK weather: Temperature rollercoaster as chilly nights follow warm days

High pressure lying over the UK means that above average temperatures and spring sunshine will continue for the next few days. All four UK nations have seen their warmest weather of 2026 so far over the past few days with the peak being 20.9C at Gogerddan, west Wales on Wednesday. But the clear skies that bring the sunshine and warm conditions also mean that overnight temperatures can drop significantly. Some locations in the Midlands and southern England experienced a day/night temperature difference of around 21C following Wednesday's warmth which was followed by a sharp frost Thursday morning. It was a frosty start this week in Cropwell Bishop, Nottinghamshire Clear skies and light winds this time of year can mean that the ground warms up quickly by day, in the strengthening spring sunshine pushing temperatures up. However, with a lack of cloud overnight, this also means that heat escapes quickly once the sun sets. During spring, we still have relatively long nights, and cool surface temperatures, meaning the variation in temperatures over a 24 hours period can be particularly stark. South Newington in Oxfordshire reached 19C on Wednesday, then plummeted to -2.4C overnight. Wobu