BBC Monthly outlook: http://www.bbc.co.uk/weather/2635167
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Monday 2 March Published at 10:00
Monthly Outlook
Summary
Is winter coming or going?
March signals the start of the meteorological spring which we tend to associate with very changeable conditions; early morning frosts, occasional showers and a gradual increase in temperature. The winter months are December-February and whilst provisional statistics suggest it's very likely that the UK has seen its sunniest winter since records began in 1929, figures for temperature and rainfall have been fairly average.
Early figures for February show a drier and cooler than average month thanks to high pressure and settled conditions at the start.This trend for cooler than average conditions looks set to continue into March with strong winds, chilly temperatures, overnight frosts and heavy wintry showers. As we move towards the middle of the month, high pressure seeks to establish itself bringing more settled weather and a gradual increase in daytime temperatures.
Monday 2 March—Sunday 8 March
A wintry feel to the start of spring
Monday will be characterised by strong winds and gales across the UK bringing a mix of sunshine and showers. The best of the sunshine will be found in southern and eastern areas with heavy, thundery showers to the north and west. These showers are likely to bring hail and snow at times, particularly over higher ground but even to low levels for a time. Mid-single figure temperatures will feel much colder in the wind. Tuesday brings a slight easing of the wind but with further heavy, thundery and wintry showers for the north and west. A ridge of high pressure will build in through the middle part of the week to settle things down with fewer showers and much lighter winds but this will allow a widespread sharp frost for Thursday morning. Through the end of the week a band of rain will slip south-eastwards across the UK before an area of high pressure starts to push in from the south bringing drier and less windy conditions.
Monday 9 March—Sunday 15 March
Starting to feel a bit more spring-like
As high pressure continues to build from the south, much of the UK will see dry and settled weather with temperatures near or slightly above average by day but with temperatures falling away quickly overnight with widespread frost. It is likely that the settled weather will bring periods of sunny weather but there will also be cloudier interludes. Across northwestern areas it looks likely that there will be occasional outbreaks of rain as weather systems from the Atlantic sneak around the top of the ridge of high pressure.
Monday 16 March—Sunday 29 March
Staying settled for most but still chilly by night
In the second half of March it looks probable that the UKs weather will be dominated by high pressure at first, but that this will weaken and become more localised to the south of the by the end of the month. Under the high pressure, conditions will remain dry and settled with mild temperatures by day and cold, possibly frosty nights. Further north, sporadic rain and showers will continue to edge around the high pressure but any extended wet and windy period looks unlikely.
Home Location - Kellands Lane, Okehampton, Devon (200m ASL)
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Sean Moon
Magical Moon
www.magical-moon.com