We have quite the interesting weather pattern this weekend thanks to low pressure to the north and high pressure to the south and a strong zonal jet stream roaring in between.
Here was this afternoon’s visible satellite imagery below showing cloudless skies over southern Britain while gale-force winds and persistent rain affected Scotland, even Northern England, really the contrast in conditions couldn’t have been greater.
The stalled boundary draped across the Highlands brought 130mm of rain to Achnagart, 120.2 mm of which came within 24 hours.
Achnagart (farm), located within Glen Shiel and about 12 miles east of the Kyle of Lochalsh, is no stranger to heavy and persistent rainfall as well as both extremes in temperature. As much as 242mm (a month’s worth) of rain fell within 3 days here back in October 2018.
The broader pressure pattern shows the boundary, the squeeze in isobars along the southern flank of the boundary which has delivered the widespread 30-50+mph winds.
Note how far the plume of moisture responsible for drenching West-Highland Scotland extended all the way back to South Carolina.
This moisture-rich air mass originated over 30C waters.
Today’s main story was the rainfall in Scotland, brought by a setup in which a conveyor of rich Atlantic moisture ran along a west to east Atlantic frontal system extending over 2,500 miles, supported by a powerful early autumn jet stream. This set up where there’s orographic enhancement, has been known to bring the UK’s heaviest 24-48 hour totals.
Meanwhile, further south as the continental high shifts east, so winds turn southerly and as this happens, we’re reintroducing hot continental air into England. The rain shall get pushed north of Scotland.
Today got warm for East Anglia.
Monday followed by Tuesday should see the UK’s first September 30C days since 2016.
The unusual heat for the time of year is short lived as HP over the continent gets handed off to a high over the Norwegian Sea. This wind shift brings a near 10C drop in afternoon highs from Tuesday to Wednesday.
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