Will you need a warm cape, a thermal goblin vest or grim reaper wellies this Halloween? A look ahed to the weather for Monday night.
The end of October is nearly with us. Supermarkets are full of pumpkins, Halloween tat and large boxes of sweets.
I overheard a young girl lamenting the fact that last year she called at someone's door and the lady said she couldn't give children any sweets as she had run out and the supermarket had run out too. Nowhere in this story was there room for - 'that lady was fobbing you off', only the dire need to go out earlier to avoid repeating this awful occurrence.
So let's be clear, Halloween is on Monday. Monday 31st October is Trick or Treat night, or Guising night. The weekend after is Bonfire Night and Fireworks should be on Saturday 5th November. A day or so before might be okay for Halloween and Friday 4th evening same for Firework displays. Don't go setting off bangers all week, scaring animals. Also, with the whole Killer Clowns in the woods saga sweeping social media, the UK and the world, do think about your outfit and its perceived hilarity.
Scottish guising is different to Trick or Treating. Being "disGUISED" to confuse the evil spirits, and there has to be a little party piece in order to earn a treat. So a joke, a song or a dance.
Why did the skeleton not want to go to the Halloween party? Because he had NOBODY to go with.
Weekend and Monday weather
FOG
We could have spooky mist and fog about thanks to High pressure, trying to hold on over the UK, bringing settled, quiet conditions. With light winds and falling temperatures, atmospheric murk is likely for a large central swathe of the UK.
What did the sunshine say to the Fog? You won't be mist
HOWLING GALE
This seems unlikely. Low pressures are not managing to get a look in with the UK so far this Autumn. A deep low would bring the stormy weather but we just have a blocking High pressure, so lighter winds.
THUNDER & LIGHTNING
Also, not really in the forecast. There are signs that rain, with a few heavier bursts, could begin to edge into northern Scotland by Monday, a recent change in the forecast from rain heading into western Britain and maybe N.Ireland. The High could still manage to keep this away so we'll have to keep an eye on developments from the Atlantic but no crashing and banging Scooby Doo style.
COLD or HOT
How do you make Anti-freeze? Steal her blanket
It's actually looking quite mild for Monday evening, temperatures still in double figures. Overnight it will turn much colder in the north as skies clear with a touch of frost inland but it won't be too chilly in the evening.
SPOOKY MOON?
The new Moon will have been on Sunday evening, so even when the cloud breaks, there won't be much of a moon to light your way.
A few thoughts about flowing Halloween costumes, candles by your doorstep and fireworks.
Safety for Halloween and Bonfire night