September Starts SettledAdded : Saturday at 14:30 Every year the same old arguments arise regarding the start and end dates of the four seasons that we experience in Britain and Ireland. There are two separate dates which could be said to mark the start of autumn in calendars. One is defined by the Earth's axis and orbit around the sun - relating to the equinox - and the other is a fixed date used by meteorologists - this date being September 1st as for record keeping it is easier to maintain consistency, i.e. three months for each season.
So today, as far as Metcheck is concerned, marks the onset of autumn, but like so many times in recent years September is starting off with weather more akin to summer this weekend thanks to high pressure dominating for many, although not all.
Here's tonight's synoptic chart:
Although pressure is high in many regions with plenty of fine and warm weather towards the south and east throughout the weekend, there is a frontal system affecting northern and western regions bringing more cloud and a little rain or drizzle from time to time.
This front will be making erratic progress south-eastwards during the next few days, eventually fizzling out across south-eastern regions of England during Tuesday:
By which time it will consist of little more than a band of cloud with just the odd shower, but will bring somewhat cooler temperatures after the warmth of the weekend:
Beyond Tuesday and there are good signs from the models of high pressure remaining dominant into the second half of the week - here's what the main three models are showing for Thursday night, starting with the UKMO:
GFS:
All consistently showing high pressure over or close to the country with hints of a flow from a northerly quarter so temperatures holding nearer normal values:
Plenty of dry and settled weather is on the way for the week ahead then but after the warm start temperatures will tend to drop back a touch, especially as winds tend to back more northerly with time although nothing out of the ordinary is expected.
METEOROLOGIST: BARBER |