Are you dreaming of a white Easter?
EASTER floats around in the calendar, depending on the moon’s cycle, but sadly there is no precedent for switching it to accommodate our unpredictable weather.
If there was, there would be a strong argument for bringing this year’s Easter Sunday forward a week to make sure that our family gatherings are accompanied by the sun that is going to bathe most of us today. By waiting another seven days, it is looking likely that, for some of us at least, we are heading for a white Easter.
The mild, bright conditions enjoyed by most of the country yesterday will extend down into the South East today, with any remaining cloud and rain disappearing as a ridge of high pressure pushes temperatures up to 55F (13C) in London, 54F (12C) in Norwich, and 50F (10C) in Belfast.
Come tomorrow evening, though, the high will be replaced by successive ridges of low pressure coming in from the Atlantic. That will mean rain, some of it heavy, for most of us as Tuesday dawns. Over high ground in Scotland and parts of northern England that could even turn to snow, but its reach should be limited.
As the week progresses, the mercury will slip slowly down the dial. The lows will head off towards Europe and in their place will come high pressure from Scandinavia, bringing back those cold winds that we have got used to in recent weeks. Yes, it’s the return of the “Beast from the East”. Or is it “Son of Beast from the East”? Because while the forecasts are for snow anywhere north from Wales, the Midlands and up into Scotland, they are not predicting great drifts that will keep us all shut indoors.
Hopefully you didn’t forget to put your clocks forward last night. It is a moment to look forward to the longer days of summer, but also to reflect on the winter just passed. Would it surprise you to know that February was one of the sunniest on record? Yes, me too.