Promise of weekend sunshine but winds pick up as autumn arrives

THE LAST light of Indian summer faded to frosty dawns with the first fall of autumn’s gold- tinted leaves this week, as surfers on the south coast made the most of a seasonal swell amid some wild winds.

There is hope yet, in coming days, for a return to crisper dawns, and with some promise of bright sunshine amid an unsettled and potentially gusty week ahead.

As recent days’ heavy showers look set to ebb by midday, forecasters suggest there will be a fairer start to the weekend although it will be chilly with highs unlikely to top 13C across the region.

The cause remains the tail end of the Atlantic’s Hurricane Teddy, said Met Office spokesman Grahame Madge, with some parts of Scotland having seen the coldest September night since 1997 as the thermometer dipped to - 5C.

“We don’t get the direct influence of these tropical cyclones, but they do tend to stir things up,” he said.

“It’s like shaking a rope at one end, and seeing the effects the whole way through.”

Yorkshire could see some strong winds in coming days, particularly by the coast, said Mr Madge, as a buckling in the jet stream continues to pull in cold air across the UK.

There will a clearing of rain from today, although there will be some showers, interspersed with bright spots of sunshine and some cloud.

Overall though, he added, the weather is set to calm somewhat over the weekend, brightening further by Sunday and with Tuesday looking the best of the week ahead.

“It has changed from the weather of a few days ago, and it’s now a more unsettled position,” he added. “It’s typical autumn weather.

“That’s not to say we won’t see the odd nice spell, but I’m afraid it looks very much as if the seasons have changed.”

Highs today and tomorrow are set to reach 12C in much of Yorkshire, brightening a little to 13C on Sunday and reaching 15C by Tuesday.

It will feel cooler by the coast, warned Mr Madge, as cold winds continue to blow in.

I’m afraid it very much looks as if the seasons have changed. Grahame Madge, Met Office.