Warmer weather in the east is in battle with west
NOW that we have passed the autumn equinox – that point in the Earth’s rotation around the Sun when we have 12 hours of day and 12 hours of night – our thoughts should be turning to winter. But instead this weekend is witnessing something of an Indian Summer. Lap it up while you can.
The mercury started climbing on Friday – the day of the equinox – and by last night, once the rain and cloud had cleared, much of south England and South Wales enjoyed a glorious end to the day, with the sky a mass of reds, oranges and pinks. And it will continue today, especially if you are in the eastern half of the UK, with temperatures as high as 75F (24C) in the south-east corner and 68F (20C) in Norwich. On the eastern seaboard, things may be a little chillier as there is a breeze blowing in from Scandinavia, but once you get inland to sheltered parts it is definitely a day to leave your coat on its peg and feel the warmth.
In the west and Northern Ireland, though, something different is happening. It will be cooler, with showers and patches of prolonged rain anywhere from Plymouth to Stornoway, with nothing more than 61F (16C). The reason? We are in the middle of a weather battlefield. Over to the east in the Baltic, there is a high pressure system in control, bringing warm, dry, settled weather. And its blessings extend to the eastern side of Britain. But out to the west is another of those familiar Atlantic lows that have plagued us all month.
So high and low are brushing up against each other over the UK, and will continue to do so well into next week. For the most part, the high will stand its ground, which is good news for some, though some rain may build in there from Tuesday onwards. Later in the week, the low may finally get its way and damp us all down, but at the moment the outcome is uncertain. If you’re a beneficiary, don’t waste time worrying about what’s to come.
Peter Stanford