Monday 16th February
Sunday was another damp day with light, variable rain during the morning and the occasional splash mid and late afternoon that amounted to 7.1mm. The monthly rainfall now stands at 98mm being 144% of my 42-year record. Due to the cloudy conditions, temperatures were once again above average with a maximum of 9.4C at 14.30 (+1.1C) and a minimum of 4.3C at 05.32 early Monday (+2.4C). The temperature for most of the night hovered around 6C but took a dive just after 03.00 when the cloud began to thin.
Monday arrived with variable cloud but much welcome blue sky that heralded a day ahead with sunshine. The breeze has veered into the west, a slightly cooler but drier direction, however, the air originates between Iceland and Scandinavia so will be cool in nature. The change in direction also brings a less moist air stream, evident by the humidity at 08.00 reading 88%, the lowest reading this month at 08.00.
The week ahead will bring a mixture of weather, but much less rain than of late. Tomorrow, Tuesday, a minor and transitory ridge of high pressure will edge across the country from a modest Azores high. This will give us a fine if cool day, with much sunshine after a cold start to the new day with the temperature at sunrise around freezing. The wind will have backed a few degrees to come from the west-northwest, once again a cool direction.
Wednesday will be a very cool day as the breeze will have veered to come from the east or southeast. This will mean a cold day following a very cold night with an air frost having formed in the early hours. As the low pressure departs towards the Continent another ridge of high pressure will push across the country on Thursday from the Azores high, which is likely to give us a fine if cool day.
Press release from the Met Office this afternoon.
With cold air in position over the UK, further winter hazards are possible on Wednesday. Low pressure from the west and southwest brings the possibility of rain, sleet and snow for parts of southern England and Wales, though it’s too early for precise details.
Met Office Deputy Chief Forecaster Steven Keates explained the uncertainty: “We’re keeping a close eye on low pressure systems to the west and southwest of the UK on Wednesday. This’ll bring moisture towards the cold air in-situ over the UK and brings with it the chance of snow for parts of southern England and possibly the southern half of Wales and the south Midlands.
“Whilst the greatest chance of snow will be over higher ground, there is the possibility of some to lower levels too. There is also the chance of further heavy rain affecting parts of southern England, though the extent of both rain and snow will be determined by the track of this area of low pressure. There’ll also be some strong, gusty winds, with warnings likely to be issued in the coming days as forecast confidence increases.”
