It’s a bumpy week of weather and distinctly cool for the time of year. Temps are typically in the 9-13C range by now but they are closer to 6-11C thanks to our air source (polar-maritime). Systems running along an unusually powerful 190 mph Atlantic jet stream is keeping us very unsettled with frequent spells of wind, rain and because of our air mass, sleet and snow too!

This GFS 500mb (upper) height anomaly chart at 24h shows the setup nicely with ocean modified arctic air crossing the UK into Europe.

2m temps/anomalies. A lot of cold air around.

There’s a swath of snow currently extends from Denmark through Germany into the Czech Rep.

What about the upcoming Easter holiday weekend? While Good Friday looks damp, particularly in western areas, it should start off drier in the east but that system eventually spreads into the North Sea allowing a ridge of high pressure to build in. This will quieten down our weather pattern into the weekend. Showers for Saturday but more drier conditions if not bright or even sunny during Sunday. Where skies are clear and with light winds, expect a frosty start to both Saturday and Sunday. Some rural spots could dip to -3 and with fresh snow over the N Pennines/Highlands, we could see -6 or -7C. Daytime highs will remain cool at between +7-11C.

GFS surface for Saturday

GFS surface Easter Sunday

GFS Saturday highs

Easter Sunday highs

More unsettled weather to come next week as models show low pressure crossing to the north of the UK and that means fronts swing through bringing wind and rain with dryness in between.

Official Summer 2015 Forecast will be released tomorrow. Stay tuned for that!!

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