Switch around: Spring warmth to winter cold in a few days

[Weather-history]

With the prospects of some Spring warmth, we mustn't get complacent at this time of the year as there can be drastic changes. It can easily can go from warm Spring sunshine to Winter frosts and snow in a space of a couple of days, I call it "Switch Around". Spring is the season when such drastic changes are at their greatest.

Here's a selection of past "Switch Arounds"

2nd May 1997 CET max: 22.6C

http://www.wetterzentrale.de/archive/ra/19...00219970502.gif

6th May 1997 CET max: 9.7C

http://www.wetterzentrale.de/archive/ra/19...00219970506.gif

14th April 1995 CET max: 16.0C

http://www.wetterzentrale.de/archive/ra/19...00219950414.gif

18th April 1995 CET max: 8.6C

http://www.wetterzentrale.de/archive/ra/19...00219950418.gif

1st April 1990 CET max: 18.2C

http://www.wetterzentrale.de/archive/ra/19...00219900401.gif

4th April 1990 CET max: 7.7C

http://www.wetterzentrale.de/archive/ra/19...00219900404.gif

1st April 1989 CET max: 13.9C

http://www.wetterzentrale.de/archive/ra/19...00219890401.gif

3rd April 1989 CET max: 6.9C

http://www.wetterzentrale.de/archive/ra/19...00219890403.gif

30th April 1987: The last day of one of the warmest Aprils on record CET max: 15.6C

http://www.wetterzentrale.de/archive/ra/19...00219870430.gif

2nd May 1987: We had snow down to sea level here in Manchester. CET max: 9.8C

http://www.wetterzentrale.de/archive/ra/19...00219870502.gif

19th April 1985 CET max: 17.1C

http://www.wetterzentrale.de/archive/ra/19...00219850419.gif

20th April 1985 CET max: 8.0C

http://www.wetterzentrale.de/archive/ra/19...00219850420.gif

14 May 1969 CET max: 15.7C

http://www.wetterzentrale.de/archive/ra/19...00219690514.gif

19 May 1969 CET max: 10.4C

http://www.wetterzentrale.de/archive/ra/19...00219690519.gif

One of the most famous ones

29th March 1968 25C in parts of the SE CET max: 18.1C

http://www.wetterzentrale.de/archive/ra/19...00219680329.gif

2nd April 1968: Very cold with snowfalls in places CET max: 3.3C

http://www.wetterzentrale.de/archive/ra/19...00219680402.gif

30th April 1967 CET max: 15.5C

http://www.wetterzentrale.de/archive/ra/19...00219670430.gif

2nd May 1967 CET max: 9.3C

http://www.wetterzentrale.de/archive/ra/19...00219670502.gif

16th March 1961: CET max: 20.0C

http://www.wetterzentrale.de/archive/ra/19...00219610316.gif

19th March 1961: CET max: 6.7C

http://www.wetterzentrale.de/archive/ra/19...00219610319.gif

25th April 1951: CET max: 20.1C

http://www.wetterzentrale.de/archive/ra/19...00219510425.gif

28th April 1951: CET max: 8.3C

http://www.wetterzentrale.de/archive/ra/19...00219510428.gif

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

25th April 1945 CET max: 16.5C

http://www.wetterzentrale.de/archive/slp/1...slp19450425.gif

30th Arpil 1945: CET max: 6.7C

http://www.wetterzentrale.de/archive/slp/1...slp19450430.gif

26th March 1944: CET max: 17.8C

http://www.wetterzentrale.de/archive/slp/1...slp19440326.gif

29th March 1944: CET max: 5.7C

http://www.wetterzentrale.de/archive/slp/1...slp19440326.gif

12th May 1934:CET max: 23.1C

http://www.wetterzentrale.de/archive/slp/1...slp19340512.gif

16th May 1934: CET max:10.7C

http://www.wetterzentrale.de/archive/slp/1...slp19340516.gif

9th April 1928: CET max: 17.5C

http://www.wetterzentrale.de/archive/slp/1...slp19280409.gif

15th April 1928: CET max: 5.1C

http://www.wetterzentrale.de/archive/slp/1...slp19280415.gif

12th April 1921: CET max: 17.7C

http://www.wetterzentrale.de/archive/slp/1...slp19210412.gif

15th April 1921: CET max: 6.5C

http://www.wetterzentrale.de/archive/slp/1...slp19210415.gif

[Weather-history]

The 19th/20th April 1985 switch around was quite a drop

Manchester

19th April: 15.2

20th April: 8.3

Heathrow

19th April: 20.2

20th April: 9.5

Gatwick

19th April: 19

20th April: 10

Birmingham Airport

19th April 19.6

20th April: 8.2

Nottingham

19th April: 17.3

20th April: 8.6

Bedford Airport

19th April: 18.5

20th April: 8.5

[Weather-history]

Are we about to add another one to the list?

[Don]

April 5th 1989 will always stand out for me!

[Gray-Wolf]

Better bloody hadn't (can't believe I'm saying that!!! wait all winter and now I don't want it!!!). Jamie is 5 on Sunday and is expecting his annual Chester Zoo trip.........good for the penguins I guess.

[Summer of 95]

There was another striking one I recall in early May 1995; temperatures here were peaking at around 25-26C after a warm week by the 6th but on the 8th (the VE day holiday) were struggling to reach 10C, as they did for the following 10 days; there were airfrosts and even snow.

[Thundery wintry showers]

There was a fairly notable one at the end of March 1995 also, at least in this part of the North East: 15C max on the 23rd, but maxes of around 4C on the 27th and 28th:

http://www.wetterzentrale.de/archive/ra/19...00219950323.gif

http://www.wetterzentrale.de/archive/ra/19...00219950327.gif

and here's the May one:

http://www.wetterzentrale.de/archive/ra/19...00219950505.gif

http://www.wetterzentrale.de/archive/ra/19...00219950509.gif

There were also strong temperature falls around 28 February-2 March 1995 and also 12-15 March 1995, though not as dramatic. I also remember the mild spring of 1999, with the isolated but potent northerly spell around the 13th-19th April.

[Andy Bown]

Was there not a rapid drop in temperatures in the lead up to Easter 2003?

It was just before I began recording temperatures so I have no stats.

However, I recall visiting my brother in Southampton on Maundy Thursday with temps of about 24c/25c and everyoine wearing shorts/t-shirt. Then Good Friday was about 21c with warm sunshine, but an E'ly wind picked up which led into a bitterly cold feeling Easter Saturday - I recall shivering at football that afternoon.

[Weather-history]

Are we about to add another one to the list?

Pershore

17th March: 16.3

20th March: 6.4

[Weather-history]

Looks like we are going to add another one to the list.

[damianslaw]

It would be interesting to compare the switcharound this year between the 4th and 6th, I would expect it to give some of the others quoted a run for their money.

Could this be done?

[johnholmes]

interesting links there as always Kevin

[Weather-history]

It would be interesting to compare the switcharound this year between the 4th and 6th, I would expect it to give some of the others quoted a run for their money.

Could this be done?

One of the great switch-arounds (4th April to 6th April 2008). Snow falling and lying added to the effect more so than just a mere temperature drop.

London Heathrow

Fri Max: 18C

Sun Max: 6C

London Gatwick

Fri Max: 18C

Sun Max: 3C

Biggin Hill

Fri Max: 16C

Sun Min: 1C

Shoeburyness

Fri Max: 18C

Sun Max: 2C

High Wycombe

Fri Max: 16C

Sun Max: 5C

[MP-R]

Jeez, some real drops there. Perhaps slightly too late in the season but in May 2005 for Bristol:

27th: 28.1C

28th: 12.9C

[Candice]

Pretty big drop in one hour yesterday here - 13 at 1300 down to about 4 at 1400

[damianslaw]

One of the great switch-arounds (4th April to 6th April 2008). Snow falling and lying added to the effect more so than just a mere temperature drop.

London Heathrow

Fri Max: 18C

Sun Max: 6C

London Gatwick

Fri Max: 18C

Sun Max: 3C

Biggin Hill

Fri Max: 16C

Sun Min: 1C

Shoeburyness

Fri Max: 18C

Sun Max: 2C

High Wycombe

Fri Max: 16C

Sun Max: 5C

Thanks for posting these. Gosh, the 4-6 April 2008 event wipes the floor with most of the others you have put up, indeed places like Gatwick saw an unprecedented switcharound. These figures are evidence that last weekend was a very notable switcharound indeed. Exceptional stuff.

[Weather-history]

1st April 1990 CET max: 18.2C

http://www.wetterzentrale.de/archive/ra/19...00219900401.gif

4th April 1990 CET max: 7.7C

http://www.wetterzentrale.de/archive/ra/19...00219900404.gif

20 years ago

Maxima

Glasgow

1st Apr: 14.0C

4th Apr: 8.0C

Edinburgh

1st Apr: 15.0C

4th Apr: 8.0C

Newcastle

1st Apr: 17.0C

4th Apr: 7.0C

Manchester

1st Apr: 17.3C

4th Apr: 10.0C

Nottingham

1st Apr: 18.5C

4th Apr: 7.4C

Norwich

1st Apr: 20.1C

4th Apr: 6.5C

Birmingham

1st Apr: 18.8C

4th Apr: 8.1C

Swansea

1st Apr: 15.0C

4th Apr: 6.0C

Heathrow

1st Apr: 21.1C

4th Apr: 9.0C

Bornemouth

1st Apr: 16.0C

4th Apr: 9.1C

Some places reported lying snow that morning of the 4th April 1990 such as Manchester. I remember waking up to a covering of snow from showers that fell during the early hours.

[Weather-history]

On 21/02/2007 at 12:53, Weather-history said:

With the prospects of some Spring warmth, we mustn't get complacent at this time of the year as there can be drastic changes. It can easily can go from warm Spring sunshine to Winter frosts and snow in a space of a couple of days, I call it "Switch Around". Spring is the season when such drastic changes are at their greatest.

Here's a selection of past "Switch Arounds"

 

One of the most famous ones

29th March 1968 25C in parts of the SE CET max: 18.1C

http://www.wetterzentrale.de/archive/ra/19...00219680329.gif

2nd April 1968: Very cold with snowfalls in places CET max: 3.3C

 

Could we be seeing something in the next fortnight?

[damianslaw]

Yes classic spring switcharound on the way.. good to compare Tuesday and Friday or Saturday means...

[A Face like Thunder]

1950, S London: 

21st - 22nd April, max temperature 64.4F (18C) 

25th April - this was the scene!

[damianslaw]

1 hour ago, A Face like Thunder said:

1950, S London: 

21st - 22nd April, max temperature 64.4F (18C) 

25th April - this was the scene!

Wow that was a change. Late April 1981 another major switcharound. 

[hillbilly]

April 1981 It was quite sunny in the first half, particularly in the north. In some places it was the warmest first half of April for twenty years, but the second half as the coldest of the century; hence temperatures overall were not too far off average. It was cloudier at times in the south, with some rain. Thunderstorms gave 83.6 mm of rain at Horsham on the 14th, leading to severe flooding. 86 mm of rain fell at Horsham (Sussex) on the 14th. Around Easter most of the country was cloudless. Cold weather came south from the Arctic on Easter Monday, the 20th, as northerly winds set in. Then very cold air swept south on the 22nd, interacting with a complex low moving east across the Midlands to bring snow. It was -11C at Dalwhinnie (Highland) on the night of the 23rd. There was a maximum of only 1C at Leeming (Yorks.) and Nottingham on the 24th. From Birmingham to Nottingham the afternoon maxima did not exceed 3C from the 24-26th. In hilly districts the temperature remained permanently subzero. There was a great blizzard with thunder on the 24th and 26th; particularly affecting the Pennines, the west, southwest, and even Salisbury Plain and the Cotswolds. Thunder and northerly winds of 40 mph. There was 20 cm of snow on the night of the 25th across southern and western England and Wales: 66 cm was reported in Gloucestershire. Level snow of 60 cm around the Peak District with 20' drifts reported. The snow was wet and drifted in very strong winds: 20' high drifts were recorded in Derbyshire and Staffordshire. The Snake Pass in Derbyshire was closed because of the risk of an avalanche. There was widespread disruption to power supplies, farming (particularly on Dartmoor), particularly livestock, and traffic. The thaw led to serious flooding in the east Midlands, in some places the worst since 1947.

An extract from Trevor Harley for April 1981

[Timmytour]

Seems to have been a cool February - March in Alaska......
 

 

[cheeky_monkey]

7 hours ago, Timmytour said:

Seems to have been a cool February - March in Alaska......
 

 

been a cold winter up north overall ..Yellowknife for example every month from Oct-Mar has been below normal with the exception of Jan which was average

[danm]

On 28/03/2021 at 08:58, A Face like Thunder said:

1950, S London: 

21st - 22nd April, max temperature 64.4F (18C) 

25th April - this was the scene!

Wow. You'd never get that much lying snow in London in April these days.