Elusive spring is finally starting to show its face
ROLL on spring. It keeps giving us glimpses, such as temperatures of well over 60F (16C) in the sunny east and South East at the end of last week. It is enough to sustain hope, but not yet sufficient to assure us that we have finally put the cold and wet behind us that has been so prolonged.
Farmers in North Yorkshire have warned that their lambs have been dying because the combination of rain, wind and cold have made it the worst start to spring in decades, while down in Devon March was the wettest on record since 1910 with more than four inches of rain (104.4mm).
Today, then, will be a bit of mixed bag. On the positive side there is a plume of warm air blowing up from southern Europe where cities such as Madrid and Lisbon have been enjoying temperatures of up to 70F (21C). We could all do with a bit of that, but wrapped up in those southerly breezes is plenty of cloud that will bring outbursts of rain almost anywhere.
London, Belfast and Cardiff should see 55F (13C), while Edinburgh comes out on top as far as our national capitals go with 57F (14C).
As the working week begins, there are few certainties. Low pressure off to the west is lurking and could make itself felt once more and bring cooler, wetter conditions, but the most likely dominant factor will be that wind from the continent. As the week progresses, it will shift from southerly to easterly, but that’s no reason to fear another “Beast from the East”. This will be a milder, more benign blast that should feel distinctly springlike.
And, best of all, dry. With luck, the rain that ruined our Easter is giving us a break. Time to get into our gardens and start preparing them for summer.