The Met Office has warned residents in Banbury, Oxfordshire, to prepare for a sharp drop in temperatures this week, with a 30 per cent chance of wintry showers forecast for Thursday 26 March 2026. This sudden shift follows a period of mild spring weather and is expected to bring freezing overnight conditions to the local area.
Daytime temperatures are set to fall from 14°C on Monday 23 March to just 7°C by Thursday 26 March 2026. Strong winds with gusts of up to 41mph on Wednesday will make the air feel much colder, with feels-like temperatures expected to hit -4°C early on Thursday morning.
Heavy rain is forecast to move into the area on Tuesday afternoon, with the chance of precipitation rising to over 95 per cent by late evening. By 6am on Thursday, the national weather service predicts a 30 per cent chance of wintry showers which could include sleet or snow.
Chief Forecaster Steve Willington said this weather pattern is entirely typical for the time of year and it is not unusual to see colder spells in March. This change follows the warmest day of the year so far, which was recorded on Friday 20 March when parts of the country reached over 20°C.
Local gardeners are advised to keep an eye on their plants as the average date for the last frost in the region often falls between late March and mid-May. According to Replenish Oxfordshire, traditional advice suggests waiting until May is over before removing winter protection from gardens due to these unpredictable cold snaps.
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