Time for that last look at autumn’s vibrant colours
WITH the official end of British Summer Time approaching, much of the countryside is still resplendent in autumnal colours.
But anyone wishing to enjoy a final flourish of red, gold and bronze, such as in this stunning picture of Loch Lubnaig in Perthshire, should make the most of it today.
The clocks go back tomorrow and, according to forecasters, it will chime with a major shift in the weather as the recent mild spell comes to an abrupt end this weekend.
Many parts of the country will experience the first frosts of winter, with temperatures likely to plunge below freezing for the first time in the early hours of Monday, widely falling as low as -4c across rural Scotland.
This will be in stark contrast to the rest of the month, which is likely to be one of the mildest on record.
The UK enjoyed the second warmest October day since 2011 on October 16, when temperatures hit an unseasonable 23.5c south of the Border.
MeteoGroup forecaster Richard MartinBarton said: ‘It has been very mild recently. Temperatures have been several degrees above average for the past ten days or so, that’s why people may experience a real shock to the system this weekend.
‘Temperatures are going to drop all of a sudden. It will be really noticeable Sunday night into Monday when we’re going to see the first really chilly night in a long time.’
This morning will start with rain and cloud in the West, with blustery winds gusting up to 60mph in the North. Eastern areas will remain largely dry with sunny spells. But by tomorrow it will feel significantly cooler.
Emma Sharples of the Met Office warned that the problem will come on Monday morning’s commute.
She said: ‘The first widespread frost will be Sunday into Monday. In far North isolated spots, we could get down to -4c.’