After no-show by the Beast, don’t bet on mini-heatwave
THERE had been worrying talk of another “Beast from the East” heading our way this coming week, but it was always just one possibility. Instead, as is the way with our very changeable weather, we now appear to be leaving winter behind. It is starting to feel as if spring has sprung.
There is, however, a miserable Sunday to endure first. The wet and windy weather that headed into south-west England overnight will have developed by this morning into something blustery, rainy and pretty dispiriting in most parts. As the low pressure makes its way northeastwards, bands of showers and strong winds of up to 40mph will be seen everywhere.
In general terms, the North will get the worst of the rain and the South what rations of sunshine are available. The same pattern is repeated for temperatures – 54F (12C) across south-western and southern England, South Wales and East Anglia, 48F (9C) from Belfast through Glasgow to Aberdeen.
By tomorrow, the low will be heading off northwards, leaving quieter, calmer and warmer conditions. The mercury will climb to 57F (14C), the sun will be around in most parts, and it will be predominantly dry for the working week. By Tuesday, high pressure from the South West should be delivering temperatures of 61F (16C), better than Monaco.
The continuing presence of high pressure as we head towards next weekend should keep us in a springlike frame of mind. Looking further ahead to Easter, some computer models suggest a mid-to-late April heat wave, but don’t get your hopes up too high. As that no-show “Beast from the East” has demonstrated recently, a lot can change in a short period.