April has been chillier than usual in the UK, with temperatures dropping to 6C in some parts after an initial warm start to the month. Weather presenter Jo Wheeler attributes this change to a spot of high pressure in the west, which brought in cold northerly winds and strong winds along the North Sea coasts. However, she predicts that milder conditions are on the way as low pressure from the south is expected to bring warmer weather, although also some rain and fresher winds. The Met Office supports this forecast, suggesting a trend towards warmer temperatures in the southern and eastern parts of the UK, followed by cooler and more settled conditions towards the end of the period.
Shoppers have rushed to purchase a £50 Antler duffel bag that is said to be easier to use than a typical suitcase. The onset of chillier temperatures in the UK has led to an increase in the sale of winter coats, as people shiver in the cold weather. Jo Wheeler explains that the high pressure in the west allowed for settled weather although it was a ‘cloudy high’. The continuous movement of frontal systems has not prevented rain clouds, nor has it stopped the wind chill from being significant along the North Sea coasts. However, as low pressure approaches from the south, the weather is expected to improve gradually, with a chance of a warm to very warm spell in some southern and eastern parts, before conditions turn drier, cooler, and more settled.
Weather forecasters predict that May, known as the Friday before summer, may not feel like summer is just around the corner due to the lingering chill in the air. Despite a promising start to April with temperatures reaching up to 22C, the return of winter coats and cold temperatures has dampened the spring mood. The Met Office suggests that the upcoming weekend will be unsettled with possible storms, but temperatures are likely to rise with the arrival of milder conditions and some rain from the south. The overall trend is towards warmer temperatures in certain parts of the UK, followed by cooler and more settled weather towards the end of the forecast period.
The high pressure system to the west of the UK and Ireland has been the main cause of the colder temperatures observed in April. This system has allowed for settled but cloudy weather, with cold northerly winds and strong winds causing a significant wind chill along the North Sea coasts. Some retailers have reported an increase in sales of winter coats as people struggle to stay warm in the chilly temperatures. However, the weather is expected to improve as low pressure moves in from the south, bringing with it milder conditions, rain, and fresher winds. Overall, the forecast is for temperatures to gradually increase in the southern and eastern parts of the UK, followed by cooler and settled conditions.