MAY DAY – What causes bad air quality?
– Advice on how to sleep when it’s hot
– How to keep your pets cool in the summer
5:01, 25 Apr 2022Updated: 5:01, 25 Apr 2022BRITAIN will be colder than Sweden as a 1,000 mile-wide -5C ‘Russian chill’ from Monday threatens the coldest start to May for 25 years.
Widespread frost even for the South and the odd snow flurry in the North is forecast this week, as the weather goes “into reverse” after the 23C Easter heatwave.
A seven-day cool burst will see winter’s surprise sting in the tail last into the May Bank Holiday weekend.
Brits will swap shorts for coats as northeasterly windchill makes 11-16C highs for most feel like just 9-14C this week. London could be the exception some days at 17C.
-5C nights are on the cards in the North, with -2C even in parts of the South.
A night falling below 1.8C at Heathrow would be the coldest May temperature at the airport since 1997, data used for Met Office records shows.
Britain will be colder than 3C nights in Stockholm, Sweden. But at least it will be mainly dry, with a mix of cloud and sunny spells.
Read our UK weather blog below for the latest forecasts and updates…
Today will be mostly dry but temperatures will drop
Most parts dry with variable amounts of cloud and sunny spells.
Scattered showers developing through the afternoon, mainly across the east and southeast but feeling a little cooler for most.
Umbrella’s at the ready
Weather forecasts from WXCharts also show a large plume of snow sweeping in over Scotland and northern England on Thursday 5 May.
High winds of up to 62km/h (39mph) will then move across the country on Friday 6 May, while western and northern parts can expect speeds of 75km/h on Saturday 7 May.
UK weather outlook for Monday and Tuesday
Monday will bring spells of sunshine however variable amounts of cloud cover will tend to build during the day bringing a chance of a few light showers.
There will be early sunny spells on Tuesday although cloud will build during the day and there is a chance of a few showers across eastern areas.
It’s going to get colder from Monday
The warm spells will subside by Monday, when it’s expected to get colder.
And the balmy 18C conditions won’t last – as the Met Office warns of a sub-zero plunge at the start of the next week.
London is expected to face temperatures as low as 4C, while parts of the north, Scotland and areas in Belfast could drop to below 0C.
WXCharts are even predicting snow before the end of April, hitting the north of Scotland on Friday April 29 and the south of England and Wales from Sunday May 1.
The dip follows from the hottest day of the year so far, recorded over the bank holiday when temperatures rose over 23C in London.
Bookies cut odds this spring ending as the hottest on record
Leading bookmaker Coral has cut the odds to 1-2 (from 5-4) on this spring ending as the hottest on record in the UK.
The firm go 5-4 for next month to be a record hot May, while it is 4-6 for 2022 to be the hottest year the UK has ever had.
“It has been a glorious start to spring and our betting suggests things could get better, as we make it odds-on to end as the hottest spring on record in the UK,” said Coral’s John Hill.
“Hopefully the sun remains shining as we head into the new month. The early odds point to soaring temperatures in May,” added Hill.
Hottest spring on record in the UK=1-2
2022 to be hottest year on record in the UK=4-6
Hottest May on record in the UK=5-4
May 8 – 22 forecast
This period is most likely to be settled across much of the UK, with clear or sunny spells at first.
A good deal of dry weather expected, but a chance of showers in places and a lower risk of more prolonged rain.
Perhaps becoming unsettled more generally for a time mid-May before returning to drier and more settled conditions towards the end the month.
Temperatures most likely to be close to or above normal.
Snow on the cards?!
Advanced weather modelling maps show that the UK could be in for some shock flurries of snow at the start of next month.
The first band of snow will sweep in across the north of Scotland late on Friday April 29, before moving down the north-east coast of England on Saturday, April 30.
May then begins with widespread snow across the United Kingdom, with flakes falling in the south of England and Wales on Sunday and Monday, May 1-2.
Snow will hit Scotland in the early hours of May 1, starting in Inverness, Aberdeen and Edinburgh before slowly moving southward throughout the day.
Newcastle, Manchester and Birmingham could follow with millions of Brits in northern and central England set to see some of the white stuff.
Unfortunately, the potential dumping is too far away for the forecaster to predict exactly how many inches we can expect to settle on the ground.
This evening’s forecast
Any showers from earlier on will begin to fade out.
Cloud breaking to allow clear spells, with a touch of frost across sheltered parts of the north and west.
Thank you for reading my coverage this evening. Joe Gamp will be on the blogs from 8am tomorrow.
Tips to help you stay healthy in changing weather
The unpredictable weather means its sunny one day and rain the next. The morning breezes and evening storms, mean it’s difficult enough to match your wardrobe to the forecast.
Here are a few tips to ramp up your health when the weather begins to wreak havoc on your health:
Drink up – Fresh fruit juices rich in vitamin C are a great way to kick your immunity-fighting ability into gear
Clear the air – Decluttering and look at investing in a a high-efficiency HEPA filter. It can also go a long way in reducing the presence of dust
Exercise outdoors
Rest – Aim for seven to eight hours a night; sleep offers the body a chance to rest and repair, strengthening your immune system
Mind the weather—and your wardrobe
Expect easterly winds dragging in winds from the North Sea
Speaking about the weather next week, Met Office meteorologist Luke Miall has said: “High pressure starts to drift towards the north of the UK this weekend allowing lower pressure to develop to the south of the UK.
“This means we start to see an easterly feed to our winds and with this it will turn cooler over the next few days.
“We will continue to see easterly winds dragging in the winds from the North Sea and this will peg back temperatures through the rest of this month.
“It will start to feel that little bit colder particularly if you are on the eastern side of the UK where we will see those cooler winds coming in from the North Sea.”
Cool days ahead
Jim Dale from the British Weather Services said cooler weather next week will coincide with plenty of dry conditions, despite some rain.
He told Express.co.uk: “[Early next week, there will be] cool days – cold mornings with some patchy frost but plenty of dry.
“Sunshine will be increasingly hard to find.
“May dawning anything but summer-like and there is possible snow in the far north in early May.”
Mr Dale added conditions will start “turning more changeable/wetter with time”.
As next week progresses, western areas are likely to be the warmest, according to forecasts.
Cloud will, however, cover large parts of the UK.
Winter overview for May 7. (Image: WX Charts)
UK weather outlook for Tuesday and Wednesday
A mostly cloudy day on Tuesday, with early sun for southern England but with showers for northern and eastern England and Scotland through the day.
A cloudy start on Wednesday for northern and eastern areas, with the chance of a shower; sunny spells in other areas. A cloudy and mostly dry afternoon.
Tomorrow’s weather forecast (Monday)
A dry and mostly cloudy start for many, with showers for parts of Scotland and northern and eastern England.
The showers will become more widespread through the afternoon and all areas could see a shower at some point in the afternoon.
A drier evening with sunny spells. Moderate north-easterly winds.
Tonight’s weather
A mostly dry evening, with showers clearing away, and it will be mostly clear, with cloud over Scotland.
In the early hours of the morning, cloud will build in for most and there may be a chance of a shower for Scotland and East Anglia, with clear spells in between.
A gentle north-easterly breeze.
Coldest start to May in some time?
Consultant meteorologist Matt Hugo said: “Will it be the coldest start to May in quite some time? Northerly weather into early May is gaining traction.”
Ex-BBC and Met Office forecaster John Hammond of weathertrending said: “The mercury will go into reverse, with a cooler trend to end April.
“Fresh waves of Arctic air mean a good chance, even across southern Britain, of temperatures falling close to or below freezing.
“One or two wintry showers are not ruled out later in the week, most likely on higher ground in the North.”
A Met Office forecaster said: “Northeasterly winds will bring cooler air, with chilly nights and widespread frosts possible.
“Temperatures are slightly below or near normal into the start of May, with mainly dry conditions this week but showers possible in the North.”
Britain will be colder than Sweden on Monday
Britain will be colder than Sweden as a 1,000 mile-wide -5C ‘Russian chill’ from Monday threatens the coldest start to May for 25 years.
Widespread frost even for the South and the odd snow flurry in the North is forecast this week, as the weather goes “into reverse” after the 23C Easter heatwave.
A seven-day cool burst will see winter’s surprise sting in the tail last into the May Bank Holiday weekend.
Brits will swap shorts for coats as northeasterly windchill makes 11-16C highs for most feel like just 9-14C this week. London could be the exception some days at 17C.
-5C nights are on the cards in the North, with -2C even in parts of the South.
A night falling below 1.8C at Heathrow would be the coldest May temperature at the airport since 1997, data used for Met Office records shows.
Britain will be colder than 3C nights in Stockholm, Sweden. But at least it will be mainly dry, with a mix of cloud and sunny spells.
Sun won’t last… sadly
The warm weather will abruptly come to an end on Monday, with the Met Office warning of a sub-zero plunge at the start of the next week.
London is expected to face temperatures as low as 4C, while parts of the north, Scotland and areas in Belfast could drop to below 0C.
WXCharts are even predicting snow before the end of April, hitting the north of Scotland on Friday April 29 and the south of England and Wales from Sunday May 1.
The dip follows from the hottest day of the year so far, recorded over the bank holiday when temperatures rose over 23C in London.
Britain hotter than the ALGARVE today
BRITAIN will be hotter than the Algarve today as the mercury soars to 18C – but a cold snap will sweep in this week.
Sunday will be filled with sunshine as the relatively balmy temperatures continue, before the weather takes a drastic turn on Monday.
Forecasters say the heat in London will reach 18C with some sunny spells, while the Algarve manages only 17C – with plenty of showers thrown in.
The recent heavy rain in Spain and Portugal has put a dampener on Brits’ holidays after thousands jetted off for an Easter break.
Afternoon, Milica Cosic now taking over the blog. I’ll be with you until 10pm tonight.
April 28 – 7 May forecast
The start of this period is most likely to be dry with variable cloud and some clear and sunny spells.
Frosty mornings possible after colder nights for inland and rural areas.
Most areas remaining dry, but showers possible in the north, and later the far south.
Likely to be breezy in the southwest, and the south at times. The start of May is most likely to be settled across much of the UK with clear or sunny spells under an area of high pressure.
Most places remaining dry, but a few showers are likely at times particularly for the north and east, where they could be heavy.
Winds generally light with the greatest chance of strong winds probably along the east coast. Temperatures near to or slightly below normal.
Tuesday to Thursday forecast
Mainly fine, with variable amounts of cloud but also some spells of sunshine, with the warmth tempered by the continuing breeze.
Temperatures close to average, but with chilly starts possible.
This evening’s forecast
Any showers from earlier on will begin to fade out.
Cloud breaking to allow clear spells, with a touch of frost across sheltered parts of the north and west.
Edinburgh forecast for today
Another dry day with mist and low cloud dispersing this morning.
Then sunny spells and becoming warm away from east coast where there will be a brisk northeast wind with maximum temperatures of 17 °C.
Not good news for gardeners
Forecaster Tom Morgan warned that the cold weather isn’t “great news for gardeners”.
He told MailOnline: “They may have spent the weekend planting beneath the sun but we could see patchy frosts by Wednesday which could undo all of their hard work.
“Some rural spots could drop to -3C through the first part of the week.
“It will feel more spring-like during the day, despite the occasional showers, but not in the mornings or overnight.”
