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Bank holiday weather, a look at the forecast models?

A look at what the different forecast models are hinting at as we approach another Bank holiday weekend. Will it be still be wintry for the next May holiday weekend?
Bank holiday weather, a look at the forecast models?
Blog by Jo Farrow
Issued: 20th May 2013 11:33
Updated: 23rd May 2013 11:18

Another Bank holiday is looming (although not for me in Scotland)
So, through this week I’ll be having a look at what the different forecast models are hinting at. Will it be as good as the early May holiday weekend?
Thurs 23rd update
Today is more like winter over the UK, so for the long weekend? All the models are in agreement that a low pressure will sink down from Iceland through the weekend, bringing windy and unsettled conditions on Monday. So a bit of a lull through Saturday and Sunday, although with temperatures only of 16C, before we look to the progress of this low in the north.
The Met Office model has the low bringing heavy rain into NI by T+96 so 00z Monday, so heavy rain for western Britain, reaching the east later on bank holiday Monday. Upset for holiday attractions, they never like that kind of forecast. The NMM model may have the rain a shade faster in its progress across the UK on Monday. ECMWF starts the rain in NI but the rain bands progress eastwards is much slower and so East Anglia and the SE of England could have a dry bank holiday!

Tues evening model run: image showers 500hpa thickness chart with the highly dependable forecasting tool of the 528 line = snow. The chart shown is for Wednesday night with a pool of cold air blue circled 528 thickness over the UK. Not for everyone, I'll add quickly, but the showers over the northern Scottish mountains will be white by Thursday morning. This flow needs to be changed before the weekend. It doesn't look as cold, but nothing to different yet from Monday's update.

Monday 20th:
The main theme across all models, is that it will be a cool start. Daytime temperatures finish the week at only 10-13C and this cool northerly flow sticks through the weekend.
There is a very strong signal (agreement) for High pressure in the Atlantic, staying put and the Low in the North Sea/by Denmark influencing eastern Britain. The northerly flow squeezes between these two, keeping the temperatures down. It does mean for any showers in northern Scotland, there could be snow on the mountains, end of May!
The ECMWF model (well thought of for its longer range forecasting) keeps a low pressure in the southern North Sea well into the weekend. So bringing unsettled weather to SE England.
GFS, MO and Global ensemble lose this low, as another low comes into play near Iceland, which could shift the wind direction and bring showers/rain to Northern Ireland and western Scotland.

 

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