Comparing an average of the last four 00z and 12z GFS op runs in March against the latest figures and projections:
1st-4th, late March GFS mean is 6.2*C, actual 7.8*C. Ouch. To be fair, the final 12z had 7.56*C so the model did catch on eventually.
1st-10th, late March GFS mean is 7.7*C, today's 00z projects 8.9*C. So the output has shifted considerably warmer!
1st-15th, late March GFS mean is 7.8*C, today's 00z projects 9.4*C. An even bigger shift warmer!
Overall, then, looking like another poor show from the models IF the latest GFS op run is close to what we actually experience.
This caveat holds great significance when considering the ECM 00z op run, which days 8-10 shifts the position of the mean trough to sit north of the UK rather than northwest, setting up a much cooler run of days.
Overall though, the signs have more than a whiff of April 2003 about them... though far from identical. Also worth noting how far downhill that month went later on:
There have been hints of this in a number of recent GFS runs for the 10-16 day period, so we may see a dramatic turnaround later this month. Even if that does occur, there's no knowing how much the CET will be affected; the cooler air was mostly to the NW during the unsettled spell in 2003, with the CET finishing at a little over 9.5*C.
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T-Max: 30.2°C 9th Sep (...!) | T-Min: -7.1°C 22nd & 23rd Jan | Wettest Day: 25.9mm 2nd Nov | Ice Days: 1 (2nd Dec -1.3°C in freezing fog)
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