Sunday 12th April
Saturday was another unsettled day with a very brisk wind from the southwest heralding an air stream that had originated near Iceland, the combination depressed daytime temperatures. A rash of shower activity arrived from the west after midday, but by the time it arrived over southern England most of the rain had been deposited further west, thus brief spots for a few minutes, not measurable. The maximum of 11.6C was logged at 13.42 before the major shower clouds arrived, being 2.7C below average, making it the coolest day this month. The daytime temperature trace for the past twenty-four hour period showed five episodes where the temperatures rose and then dropped as the shower clouds arrived. The minimum of 5.8C was logged at 06.29 early Sunday being 2C above average.
Sunday arrived with glorious sunshine, however, it will not last. The radar charts indicated that major shower activity had crossed Cornwall and into Devon by 08.00 and was heading our way, with rain likely to arrive before noon. The forecast surface pressure charts indicate that two troughs will cross our area today. Troughs are the opposite of a ridge under high pressure, they are an elongated region of relatively low atmospheric pressure, extending from a central low-pressure system, that will bring unsettled conditions, likely rain and perhaps gusty conditions.
The week ahead will bring us unsettled conditions the UK being the sandwich filling between low pressure systems not far to the west and high pressure to the east, the latter is likely to stream us a less cool air from mid-Atlantic and then perhaps a little further south, which will result in maxima being close to or a little above the April average.
Met Office pollen bomb red alert pollen bomb as expert warns ‘avoid at all costs’
A huge pollen bomb has hit the UK, with the Met Office issuing a red alert for “very high” pollen counts in both England and Wales – and it’s not going anywhere soon
Britons are enduring the effects of a massive pollen bomb after the Met Office issued a severe red alert covering vast areas of the UK that remains in force throughout the weekend. The nation has been thrust into a hay fever nightmare, with “very high” pollen levels battering both England and Wales.
Forecasters caution the situation isn’t improving anytime soon, with the alert anticipated to stay in place until at least the end of Sunday. For those in southern England, Wales and northern England, the atmosphere is laden with a triple threat of birch, ash and plane pollen. Approximately 10 million Britons are currently caught in a relentless cycle of sneezing fits, streaming noses, and “sandpaper” eyes.
For many, the symptoms extend beyond a mere sniffle, resulting in facial pain. drenching sweats and throbbing headaches.
The Met Office cautions that the recent surge in temperatures provides perfect conditions for the pollen, as warmth accelerates the production and spread of microscopic particles. When these particles strike, the body’s immunoglobulin E antibody shifts into overdrive, producing mucus and leaving sufferers in a state of complete congestion.