UK temperatures expected to reach 18C after rainy start to 2026

On Tuesday, temperatures in High Beach in Essex and Frittenden in Kent reached 16.6C.

In Kinloss, in Moray, 13.7C was recorded.

In Wales and Northern Ireland, temperatures fell a little short of those recorded at the weekend but still reached 15.2C and 13.4C in Hawarden and Helen’s Bay respectively.

The mercury could rise a little further still on Wednesday in south-east England with the liklihood of us seeing 18C (64F) in the best of the sunshine. Northern Ireland may also be a little warmer than on Tuesday, following a wet start.

In the north and west of the UK there will be more cloud and some rain, but temperatures even here will still be above average.

To put this warmer weather into context – the last time the temperature reached 18C was 13 November 2025, and the record for February is 21.2C (70.2F) on 26 February 2019 at Kew Gardens.

Wednesday is likely to be the peak of the warmth this week, with temperatures back to near average on the last day on February and a possible frost for many on Friday night.