Forecasters are predicting a proper taste of autumnal weather for the UK this week, as cold and unsettled conditions are expected across the country. And here in Bristol, as well as the rest of the South West of England, blustery winds, showers and chillier overnight temperatures are sure signs that autumn is upon us.
It's all thanks to an area of low pressure positioned to the north and east of the UK which, through the coming days, will bring a cold northerly wind that will push rain southwards. And, according to the Met Office, by the end of the week a new deeper area of low pressure will arrive from the northwest, potentially bringing a more unsettled spell of weather by the weekend.
The Met Office's chief meteorologist Steven Ramsdale said: "The start of the week has certainly seen a change in the weather as cool air and bands of rain and showers have swept southwards. Much of the next few days will see similar conditions across the UK and although it’ll feel cooler and breezier than recently, this is fairly typical autumn weather for us.”
Read more: Mobile speed camera locations in Bristol this week
Looking further ahead towards Friday, deputy chief meteorologist Daniel Rudman, added: "On Friday it looks as though a deeper area of low pressure will move into the northwest of the UK. This means that many can expect a more notably wet and windy spell, for a time on Friday, than we’ve seen so far this autumn. However, this is nothing unusual for the time of year.
"At this time of year, knock-on effects from the Atlantic tropical cyclone season can lower confidence when forecasting more than a few days ahead, and so the exact timings for rainfall and wind strengths for Friday may vary throughout the week. The best thing you can do if you’ve got outdoor plans is make sure you’re always using the most up to date forecast.”
A number of flood alerts are in place for other areas of the UK, however there are currently none in place for the West Country.
South West England weather forecast
The Met Office forecast for Tuesday, September 27 to Saturday, October 1 reads:
Today:
Some sunny breaks but often cloudy with a few showers, feeding in on the blustery northwesterly winds. More persistent rain for Cornwall and western Devon. Feeling autumnal again, especially in the wind. Maximum temperature 17 °C.
Tonight:
Showers easing through the evening but rain lingering across Cornwall before clearing overnight. Winds easing and turning a little chilly under clear spells, before a few showers towards dawn. Minimum temperature 6 °C.
Wednesday:
Scattered showers for much of the day, with some bright or sunny spells in between. Perhaps feeling a touch milder than of late due to lighter winds. Maximum temperature 17 °C.
Outlook for Thursday to Saturday:
Some showery rain on Thursday before clear skies mean a chilly night with a localised frost. Wind and rain spreading from the west on Friday, clearing to showers on Saturday.
The Met Office UK long range weather forecast (Saturday, October 1 - Monday, October 10) reads: "We are likely to see an unsettled start to October with low pressure to the north of the UK. This would bring a mixture of sunny spells and showers or longer periods of rain.
"Showers are likely to be heaviest and most frequent across the north and whilst southern and eastern areas are likely to see some rain at times, these areas likely seeing the best of the drier conditions. Widely windy with a risk of gales at times, most probably across the north and northwest.
"We may then see a shift towards more settled weather later on in the period with drier conditions becoming more prevalent, especially in the south. Temperatures likely to be close to average throughout or maybe slightly above average by the end of the period."
Read next:
- Twinnell House fire: Easton blaze started by 'electric bike' in top-floor flat
- M5 Avonmouth Bridge has overnight closures for a month from today
- Mum uses spreadsheet hack to feed family of five for £65 a week at Asda
- Dropping one ingredient could cut shopping bills by £752
- Aldi is named Supermarket of the Year at industry Oscars
