Weather in the general media (Newspaper features etc)

[Summer Sun]

Weather: End Of Freezing Spell Finally In Sight

The cold weather could finally be about to end after the second coldest March since records began in 1910. On average March 2013 was 2.2C - just 0.3C above the 1.9C seen in March 1962.

Last month was even colder than most recent winter months. That last happened back in 1975 and the following summer turned out to be a good one, says Sky Weather Producer Jo Robinson.

She said: "After such a cold spell, there's finally increasing confidence that spring warmth is just around the corner.

"The cold theme will continue this week, with temperatures remaining below average, and the wind will pick up again, making it feel bitterly cold. "But as the jet stream moves north, it will bring milder conditions to the UK and the Republic of Ireland by next week." The break in the unseasonal weather should see temperatures return to near normal - around 10-12C - although there will be spells of wind and rain. Computer models indicate the middle of April could bring more settled spells of warmer Spring weather, although that could change. If forecasts prove accurate, next week will see temperatures climb to the mid-teens.

http://news.sky.com/story/1073056/weather-end-of-freezing-spell-finally-in-sight

[Summer Sun]

Milder weather on the way?

BBC Weather's Matt Taylor takes a look at the potential for milder weather.

http://www.bbc.co.uk.../feeds/22004522

[Summer Sun]

Milder weather on the way?

Is there an end in sight to the unseasonable weather? Matt Taylor has more on what we can expect over the coming days.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/weather/features/22021114

[Guest]

Fort William Fire 'Under Control': Homes Safe

A wild fire stretching three miles has consumed land close to homes in the Highlands. Around 45 firefighters battled the blaze north of Fort William throughout the night to bring it under control. First reported on Monday evening, the fire started on grassland and heath north of the B8004 road. Although wind was blowing smoke in the direction of residential properties, no buildings were on fire or had to be evacuated. Ross, Skye and Lochaber Liberal Democrat MP Charles Kennedy said he had "never witnessed anything" on the scale of the fire. "If the initial reports are confirmed, then it is miraculous that there was no significant loss of property, far less worse," he said. "The spate of such fires recently across the Highlands acts as a timely warning to us all. But most of all it makes us all profoundly grateful for the professional expertise and courage of our firefighters and the other emergency services. We are indebted to them all." Some firefighters are still monitoring the scene, the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service said.

http://news.sky.com/...trol-homes-safe

It can happen after a spell of dessicating cold winds - I recall in March 2010, not long after a rare snowfall in southern France seeing the pompiers extinguishing a scrub fire at the side of the road when there were still some patches of snow lying around, in fact about 50% snow coverage at the time.

[Summer Sun]

Latest forecast from Michael Fish - http://www.netweather.tv/index.cgi?action=michaelfish;sess= - A change is on the way turning Milder But Wetter Too

[Summer Sun]

TWO April forecast

April: Mixed month

Temperature

Over the forecast period temperatures should be slightly below the Central England Temperature (CET) average.

Precipitation

Mostly close to average.

1/4 to 7/4

Very cold weather for the time of year will continue. Overnight frosts will be widespread and at times severe for the time of year. A good deal of dry weather is expected, but in eastern and northern regions some sleet or snow showers will develop at times. The second half of the week could bring an increased risk of sleet or snow showers to the south east for a time.

8/4 to 14/4

A significant change is expected to develop as unsettled weather from the west breaks down the cold block over the UK. Early in the week outbreaks of rain, sleet and snow in the west are expected to push east. Over high ground in the north significant snowfall is possible. Once the wet weather clears away east temperatures will recover, but further showers or longer spells of rain are possible through the second half of the week. Over higher ground in the north it is likely to be cold enough still for some sleet or snow.

15/4 to 30/4

The second half of the month is expected to bring mixed weather, with spells of more persistent rain mixed with brighter and showery conditions. Temperatures are likely to be closer to the seasonal average on the whole, but there is a risk of colder air returning from the north for a time. Possibly bringing a renewed risk of sleet or snow to northern Britain. Overnight frosts are likely at times in the north of Britain.

http://www.theweatheroutlook.com/forecast/30-day-uk-weather-forecast

[Summer Sun]

Outrage at new drought alert: Water firms are forcing cut back despite wettest year

http://www.express.c...te-wettest-year

Coldest April day in 20 years: But don't worry one more cold blast...then spring

http://www.express.c...ast-then-spring

[Summer Sun]

Food Prices Set To Soar After Big Freeze

http://news.sky.com/story/1074634/food-prices-set-to-soar-after-big-freeze

[Summer Sun]

Britain finally goes balmy...as spring is just around the corner

The mercury is likely to sink to -7C (19F) in the North and -5C (23F) in the South overnight this weekend with more snowfall in some parts. But forecasters say spring will start at last next week with temperatures set to soar to a balmy 68F (20C). Virtually all of Britain can look forward to a sharp turnaround after weeks of gales, snow and frosts. But the milder system from the Atlantic is also expected to bring rain and strong winds. Jonathan Powell, forecaster for Vantage Weather Services, said: “There is going to be a turnaround next week, probably from Wednesday onwards, as things start to turn milder. In parts of the South we could see highs around the 68F mark, much warmer than we have seen of late, and a relief to many.

http://www.express.c...ound-the-corner

SUMMER IS NEARLY HERE AT LAST

BRITS heaved a sigh of relief last night as experts predicted the Big Freeze is on its way out. Forecasters claimed the end is finally in sight, with temperatures nudging up to a much more seasonal 20C next week. But until then the UK will shiver through yet another chilly weekend, with temperatures dropping to freezing overnight. Met Office forecaster Sarah Holland said: “We are gradually going to see a turn in the weather as we move into next week.

http://www.dailystar.co.uk/news/view/307577/Summer-is-nearly-here-at-last/

[Jax]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-derbyshire-22044883

Two landlords trapped in their pubs by snow - one of them for five days - are among Derbyshire traders counting the cost of the Easter blizzard.

Areas of the Peak District suffered snow drifts of up to 20ft (6m), blocking roads and buildings.

One pub and caravan site estimates it lost £10,000 over Easter because of the weather while another owner had to use a coal shovel to dig himself out.

With the weather finally warming, small firms hope life can return to normal.

[Summer Sun]

Freezing British weather forces UK to import wheat for the first time in a decade

http://www.dailymail...l#ixzz2Ph19blvk

From hedgehogs and bees to bluebells and daffs, victims of the UK's big freeze: How longest winter had hit our wildlife

http://www.dailymail...l#ixzz2Ph1Ndpfo

[Summer Sun]

HEAT WAVE ON THE WAY

http://www.dailystar...ave-on-the-way/

[stewfox]

HEAT WAVE ON THE WAY

http://www.dailystar...ave-on-the-way/

Article says summer weather due to arrive on May 4th, however is that the morning or the afternoon ? Why cant they be more specific ??

[Summer Sun]

BBC weather for the week ahead

Cold in the north with some snow

Wet in the south

Milder by Friday

[Summer Sun]

Sunshine at last… shame it's still cold! Britain will bask in sunny spells again tomorrow before the rain sets in but the mercury won't rise above 10C

http://www.dailymail...l#ixzz2PmjAs4n1

Last snowfall expected as cold weather lingers

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/topics/weather/9977224/Last-snowfall-expected-as-cold-weather-lingers.html

[Summer Sun]

Sun puts a spring in our step

http://www.express.c...ing-in-our-step

Enjoy the sun, you won't see it again for weeks! Britain basks in sunny spells but it's still cold and the rain will set in again soon

http://www.dailymail...l#ixzz2Pr511CUU

[Coast]

UK retail sales in March hit by cold weather

The unseasonably cold weather hit demand for summer clothing.

UK retail sales slowed in March as the unseasonably cold weather hit demand for summer clothing, according to the British Retail Consortium (BRC). Like-for-like sales were up 1.9% last month from a year earlier, down from February's 2.7% rise, despite the boost from an early Easter. However, the cold weather lifted demand for food and drink.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-22075751

[Summer Sun]

Britain faces a week of gales and heavy rain as stormy weather sweeps through

http://www.express.c...-sweeps-through

[Summer Sun]

Sheep Farmers Battle To Survive After Snow

http://news.sky.com/story/1075727/sheep-farmers-battle-to-survive-after-snow

[Summer Sun]

Heatwave to hit Britain sending temperatures soaring after months of icy hell

http://www.mirror.co...0#ixzz2PzAASCgo

Temperatures to soar next week

http://uk.news.yahoo...11.html#2Bhhcry

[Summer Sun]

Temp To Hit 20C As Spring Comes

Spring will bloom next week as the cold snap that is winter's last blast moves away, according to forecasters. Temperatures will reach up to 20C in parts of the south and east and will get up to double figures in across all of Britain after one of the coldest recorded Marches in history. People in the north of England and Scotland may have felt as if the cold spell would never end however as many parts spent another day covered in snow. Temperatures in northern areas continued at an unseasonably low of between 4C (39.2F) and 7C (44.6F) throughout the day and into tomorrow.

But forecasters have revealed there is much better weather on the way for the whole country, with temperatures after Sunday expected to leap. Billy Payne, a forecaster for the Press Association, said: "Cold easterly winds have continued to cause snow in the north of England and Scotland, with a quite brisk wind coming from Scandinavia still affecting large parts of the country.

http://news.sky.com/...as-spring-comes

[Summer Sun]

Britain’s set for 21C on sizzling Sunday

http://www.express.c...sizzling-Sunday

HELL WINTER OVER AT LAST AS SUNDAY SET TO BE HOTTEST DAY OF THE YEAR

http://www.dailystar...ay-of-the-year/

[Summer Sun]

Welcome warmth for the UK

For some there's warmth, for others there's welcome rain.

BBC Weather's Alex Deakin springs forward to the weekend forecast.

http://www.bbc.co.uk...atures/22079855

[Summer Sun]

Warmer weather on the way

Southerly winds will bring some milder weather for the weekend, especially in the south and east of the United Kingdom.

BBC Weather's Tomasz Schafernaker has the details.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/weather/features/22093546

[microclimate]

Just heard the BBC 1 lunchtime weather presenter say our weather is 'on a journey'........what next, 'going forward'. Truly dreadful presentation.