Enjoy the calm after the storm ... but wrap up well
STORM ARWEN may long ago have blown off over the eastern horizon, but the damage it did remains in evidence, especially in northern parts of England and in Scotland. Milder conditions may be pushing up temperatures a little but not nearly enough to take the chill off homes left without heating.
Yesterday saw a low-pressure system driving in north-westerly winds and showers in northern parts of the UK, but it will have departed these shores by this morning. Some showers could remain down the east coast of England, but elsewhere high pressure will build in. That means a cold, frosty start for most, with plenty of sunshine in the middle of the day.
The winter sun, though, doesn’t have much warmth in it this far north in December, so the best that can be expected is 48F (9C) in the sheltered South West and South Wales. Much of the rest of England from London to Liverpool, and extending into Northern Ireland, should see 45F (7C), but Glasgow and Edinburgh will not manage much more than 41F (5C).
As the high pressure moves off from tonight, a new cold front will arrive from the Atlantic, propelled by a low-pressure system to our west. It will generate plenty of rain, which, when it bumps into the cold air over northern England and Scotland, could result in snow. As the week continues, there is another deep area of low pressure heading our way. Quite where it positions itself out to the west will decide which areas see the worst of the rain and strong winds it will bring.
Northern Ireland experienced its warmest autumn on record, at 1.5C above the average. It was also, though, the dullest, with hours of sunshine down by almost a quarter on the norm.