Traditional Spring Feature Set To ArriveAdded : Sunday at 14:30 We're sure you don't need us to tell you that spring has been very slow in arriving across many parts of the country this year but finally things have started to move with leaves budding and the grass beginning to grow. One of our most common weather features in the March to May period is that a spell of easterly winds often develop across the UK and Ireland as the jet stream tends to weaken and high pressure forms at higher latitudes.
This common week looks set to see exactly that happening, so if you're near to the east coast prepare yourselves for some rather dank and chilly days ahead. Let's take a look at what's going on, and we'll start with today's synoptic chart:
Britain and Ireland are caught up between a couple of main weather systems, these being low pressure out over the North Atlantic and high pressure sitting out to the east. We have the remnants of old weather fronts bringing cloud and some rain or drizzle to the far north of the UK as well as to the southeast, demonstrated nicely by the latest rainfall radar image:
We also have some scattered heavy showers affecting parts of Scotland and Ireland, otherwise there is plenty of dry and bright weather around, the best of the sunshine across parts of Wales and southwest England where it is a glorious Sunday afternoon:
During the next few days subtle changes will be taking place as high pressure builds to the north and northeast of the UK, but Atlantic frontal systems will continue to affect the south and southwest in particular:
This means a couple of things. Firstly northern regions will see the best of the drier and brighter conditions on offer whilst the south will see most of the spells of rain or showers although these will push further north at times:
Secondly those easterly winds coming off a cold North Sea will bring increasing amounts of low cloud, mist and fog to eastern coastal regions as we go through the coming days along with some very disappointing temperatures:
It could be that by midweek places such as Scarborough will be dull, drizzly and foggy with temperatures stuck down in single figures whilst central, southern and western regions with a bit of shelter from the easterly wind will be enjoying temperatures in the mid-teens with some sunny spells - an all too familiar tale in spring.
METEOROLOGIST: BARBER |