uk weather

Overall, spring was slightly warmer, sunnier and wetter than average for the UK.  

What controls the weather in the UK?

The Society is delighted to be working together with the University of Reading on a Thames Water sponsored FutureLearn course, called “Come Rain or Shine”.  Recently the course was awarded the EMS Outreach and Communication Award 2018.

May was warmer than average for most places of the UK. At the beginning of the month an unsettled westerly regime brought rain south-eastwards. Thereafter, temperatures and sunshine increased. The early-May Bank Holiday was the warmest since its introduction in 1978. Despite cooler temperatures, the second week remained dry and sunny for many parts. The second half of the month was dominated by high pressure and easterly winds bringing warm air and sunshine. However, it stayed cooler and cloudier along the east coast.

April was warmer than average for most places of the UK. The month started with cold, wet and windy conditions continuing the weather pattern dominant in March. From mid-April, high pressure near the UK brought warm spells of air from the south. The hottest day in April since 1949 was recorded at St James's Park in London on 19 April reaching a maximum temperature of 29.1 °C. However, sunshine levels remained below average except in Scotland. From 22 April unsettled colder weather returned and temperatures dropped towards the end of the month again.

March was a rather cold month, overall. It started exceptionally cold with easterly winds and widespread snow as the UK experienced the tail-end of the ‘Beast from the East’. Indeed, many parts of the country failed to reach temperatures above freezing during the daytime. During the course of the first week, it began to turn milder from the south and became generally wet and cloudy as low pressure dominated until mid-month.

September began with a weak ridge of high pressure which brought dry sunny weather to many parts, but also some mist and fog to the south, and some heavy, thundery showers to the east.  The remainder of the month was unsettled, with an above average number of rain days, particularly across England.  North-westerly winds brought rain bands interspersed with bright showery weather until the 19th.

tWC Editor, Dr Catherine Muller, was recently interviewed for a special edition newspaper which will be handed out in the Ted Baker Store in Heathrow Terminal 3 to mark the launch of their new weather-themed store decor. Here’s what she had to say:

Q. Can you tell us a little about you, your position at the Royal Meteorological Society, and how you got there?