Biting wind and plenty more rain to last all week
THERE is pretty much a conveyor belt of areas of low pressure sweeping towards the UK from the Atlantic today and well into the coming week. They bring with them turbulent weather systems with brisk winds and plenty of rain to add to the downpours and flooding we have already suffered of late. In south-eastern England, in particular, it is proving to be considerably wetter than seasonal averages.
After the break in the stormy conditions that meant yesterday was relatively dry in most parts, the next area of low pressure started overnight, heading into Northern Ireland and western parts of England, Wales and Scotland. This morning we will wake up to storm clouds speeding west to east on a strong wind accompanied by frequent showers, some stronger than others.
And there is a chill in that wind, meaning that it is beginning to feel a bit wintery. Down across southern England and South Wales, expect 10C (50F) but the further north you go, the more the mercury drops. Tonight some of the Scottish hills may even see snow.
That pattern continues into the working week – brief pauses between areas of low pressure, then more wind, more rain and gloomy skies, all propelled towards us by a vigorous jet stream – that ribbon of air currents in the high atmosphere blowing west to east across the Atlantic.
At the moment it looks like it will last all week and even into next weekend. It should be good news for our water companies, after all those pictures of worryingly low levels in reservoirs from the summer. But think again. Hosepipe bans remain with Thames Water, Yorkshire Water, South East Water and South West Water. The official line is that drought conditions may not abate until next spring. Let’s hope it stops raining before then.