The swallows are departing, but the sun remains

Weather Sunset at Snettisham, Norfolk as bright days ease in the arrival of autumn WITH the autumn equinox behind us, the nights are lengthening and the days are shorter. In the northern hemisphere, the Earth is tilting away from the Sun. As Keats had it in To

Autumn, the swallows are gathering, ready to depart for warmer climes.

For those of us unable to follow them, there has been a soft landing into the coming season of mists and mellow fruitfulness, and that will continue for many today, with above average temperatures that could touch 68F (20C) in the South East, still benefitting from its proximity to warmer continental Europe.

But there is a warning chill in the air, especially in the early mornings, when a gentle fog has started to hover over the fields. Brace yourself, for the typical autumn weather pattern over Britain is one of low-pressure systems swooping in from the west, carried over the Atlantic by the jet stream, that fast-moving ribbon of air that blows west to east.

Scotland and Northern Ireland have already been experiencing its impact, with wet and windy conditions. These will extend their embrace to cover most of the country in the days ahead.

Wrapped up in these systems will be the last remnants of Tropical Storm Karl, which has been raging off the east coast of the United States this weekend and may still be upgraded to a hurricane. It will inject even more energy and bluster to the cooler, damper conditions coming our way, but the lingering effects of that unusually hot first half of September are still just about in evidence, with temperatures across Britain anything from 57-66F (14-19C), a notch or two up on the average for this time of year. Enjoy it while it lasts.