Warm tidings as spring now lasts a month longer!
Gold fever... fans thrilled at racing finale
SPRING is starting earlier and lasts a month longer than it did 25 years ago, according to research.
The transition between winter and warmer climes – the so-called “vernal window” – is happening sooner.
But Britons should not get carried away with this year’s balmy spring, with the country due back on Arctic chill alert next week.
Yet as a general trend, temperatures are starting to rise earlier in the year while the number of frosts in early spring have dropped.
Britain now enjoys around 30 extra “spring” days with the crop-growing season boosted by almost a fortnight.
Thundery
Mike Kendon, from the Met Office’s National Climate Information Centre, said: “Spring is now a month longer.
“The UK’s mean temperature for spring over the past decade has been one degree centigrade higher than during the period from 1961 to 1990.
“The growing season for crops and plants in England over the past decade has been around a month longer.”
And he said there has been a corresponding 15 per cent reduction in the number of days of frost each year.
He said: “These are consistent with an increase in temperatures in the UK.”
However, wintry showers are forecast in parts after thermometers had reached 66F (19C) over the past few days.
The weather was due to change last night as the remnants of Storm Stella arrived from America.
Heavy snow and powerful gales sparked mayhem in the US this week triggering a state of emergency in parts.
What remains of the storm will sweep to the UK bringing a wet, windy and possibly thundery weekend.
Temperatures will fall to -5C (23F) in parts next week with swathes on alert for chilly nights and morning frosts.
Jim Dale, forecaster for British Weather Services, said: “We have been a bit spoilt by March so far with the warmth, but next week we are back to a dreary British weather pattern.
“We are going back into a more northerly airflow and it is going to feel colder.
“We are not talking a full-on Arctic blast, but it will be a change.
“A bit of wintriness is not out of the question and we could see some snow over the hills in the north. Don’t put the hats and scarves away just yet.”
The Met Office said much of Britain will be wet this weekend with up to two inches of rain forecast in parts.
Forecaster Emma Sharples said: “Everywhere will see rain this weekend, but most of it will fall in the West where an inch and a half is possible.” A SELL-OUT crowd witnessed a thrilling conclusion to the Cheltenham Festival yesterday as Sizing John beat the bookmakers’ favourites to win the Gold Cup.
Thousands of racing fans enjoyed the action on St Patrick’s Day, with many opting for green jackets or dresses to mark the occasion.
Sizing John, the 7-1 shot ridden by Robbie Power, delighted punters who backed him, storming past pre-race favourites Djakadam and Native River in the closing stages of the race.
The horse’s trainer Jessica Harrington said: “I can’t believe it. It’s just amazing.”
Jockey Lizzie Kelly, bidding to become the first woman to finish the race, fell at the second fence. Meanwhile, the Queen was hoping for a winner in the first race of the day.
But her horse Forth Bridge was beaten by Defi Du Seuil.
Spectators included Olympic cycling champion Victoria Pendleton and equestrian star Zara Tindall, the Queen’s granddaughter, sporting a hat with guinea fowl feathers.