As WXCharts forecasts snow and ice across the UK in March, Forestry England anticipates an early flowering of bluebells due to mild winter conditions, highlighting the complex impacts of climate change on the country’s weather and natural landscapes.
New weather forecasts for the UK have indicated that despite recent warm conditions, snow and ice are expected on March 5, 6, and 16, particularly affecting areas like the Scottish Highlands, Edinburgh, Aberdeen, Inverness, Manchester, Liverpool, Blackpool, Birmingham, and London. WXCharts has provided this prediction, signaling a break in the hopes for an early spring. The temperatures during these snowy days are forecasted to be mild, with Scotland experiencing 1-2°C and the south of England reaching up to 5°C, albeit with some areas experiencing higher temperatures of up to 12°C on March 14. Following the warmest February on record for England and Wales, attributed to climate change by Met Office scientists, these weather changes underscore the UK’s shifting climate patterns.
In a related development, the mild weather of this winter and spring is set to induce an early flowering of bluebells across British woodlands, according to Forestry England. This phenomenon typically occurs from late March to early May, but the expected warmer conditions have accelerated the blooming period. Forestry England, responsible for over 1,500 public forests, anticipates an impressive display of bluebells this year. The organisation, alongside the National Trust, has noted the early blossoming of various trees and shrubs as a direct consequence of climate change. To preserve the integrity of these delicate flowers, visitors to woodlands are advised to adhere to marked paths and trails. Lists of the best locations for viewing the bluebells have been compiled, including Bedgebury National Pinetum in Kent and Robin Wood in Derbyshire, inviting nature enthusiasts to witness the spring spectacle while acknowledging the broader implications of a changing climate on the UK’s natural landscapes.