Families across Britain were asked to keep warm tomorrow Bonfire Night, as temperatures plummet to -3C (27F). But forecasters say they expect ‘fine viewing conditions for any fireworks’ and that most places will remain dry.
The temperature dropped dramatically in November, with many parts of England & Scotland experiencing overnight frosts and struggling for daylight.
This pattern of below average temperatures is likely to continue throughout the month. Forecasters believe that high pressure near Greenland could push colder air towards the UK from the North, causing it to remain below average temperatures.
This week has already brought sub-zero temperatures of -2.5C (27.5F) at Hurn in Hampshire yesterday and -1.8C (28.8F) at Benson in Oxfordshire on Tuesday – and similar lows are set to follow. It comes after temperatures above-average last week reached 18.4C (65.1F) in Chillingham, Northumberland.
Tomorrow night will be extremely cold. Aidan McGivern, Met Office meteorologist, said that most places are dry for Bonfire Night. It will be cloudier for both the North-West and the West. There may be a few light showers in the North-West, but otherwise it will be clear and cold elsewhere. This makes for great viewing conditions for any fireworks.
This morning, early patches of mist will soon lift and clear – and it will then be chilly but mostly dry and bright with long spells of sunshine, although cloud cover will build across Northern Ireland and Scotland bringing drizzle.
Showers could be possible in coastal areas. It will be a windy day for all of Britain. Then it will become a dry, clear evening with clear spells.
Expect sub-zero temperatures overnight into Friday
The UK will be dry overnight with clear spells. However, variable amounts of cloud will tend build and sink southwards and bring some drizzle or light rain.
Clare Nasir, Met Office meteorologist said that Thursday will be quieter and there will be some sunshine. But it will still be cold. There are still showers along the coast, but they will be less than the last few days. You can expect a frosty start to the day, both in southern Scotland and Northern England. A frost could be seen just outside of Glasgow’s city centre, which would make it a cold start for Scotland.
“Showers continue for Northern Ireland, particularly towards the north and east, running down the Irish Sea towards Devon and Cornwall.
‘Inland though more clear skies – A fine morning on Thursday with some better skies and showers, but they continue with that brisk winds coming in from North across eastern England and they will continue into the afternoon.
‘Inland it will be a dry and pleasant day. There will be lots of sunshine. We also lose the risk of showers across much of Scotland. More cloud is moving in from the Far North West, with some rain coming across the Outer Hebrides.
Yesterday’s frosty weather was embraced by a runner during a jog along the River Cam in Grantchester (Cambridgeshire).
Sunrise at Grantchester, Cambridgeshire’s River Cam yesterday morning
“For the central part of Scotland towards northern England, East Wales, the Midlands and Southern England, the best sunshine is available. But showers can continue especially where there is wind along the coast during the afternoon.
“Temperatures are struggling a little bit around 8C, 9C and 10C, possibly double the number further south.
The Southern Lights! Aurora puts on a mesmerising display – and are visible as far down Britain as Devon
The Northern Lights performed a stunning display that lit up the night sky as far as Devon, leaving Britons stunned.
The stunning aurora saw streaks of green light glowing across parts of Scotland and Northern Ireland and northerly parts of Wales and England after a solar flare was spotted heading to Earth.
According to the Met Office, a coronal Mass Ejection (CME), was observed leaving the Sun on Tuesday and reaching Earth on Wednesday evening.
Last night, the Northern Lights were visible near Crediton, Devon.
When charged particles from the Sun meet the Earth’s magnetosphere, it generates a geomagnetic storm that produces eye-catching light shows, but the displays are usually limited to high-latitude regions around the Arctic and Antarctic.
However, when the solar flares and coronal mass ejections have been particularly strong, these shows can be seen at lower latitudes. There are many areas of low-light pollution and cloud-free in the UK, and displays can be seen as far south as Bedfordshire.
In recent months, there has been an increase in the size of flares which can cause more southerly arctic aurora. The latest was on Thursday, October 28. This storm is also known as Halloween storm.
Tomorrow morning will see some misty patches that will soon lift and clear. It will then be dry, but cloudy and dull during the day. However, cloud cover may break at times and sunny spells might develop. Some drizzle and light rain will be scattered across western Scotland.
Ms. Nasir stated that there was a widespread frost in the inland area from Thursday night through Friday morning. Showers will continue to fall along the East coast as well as the West coast. It will be dry at the inland.
“And then, we will see more cloud along the Far North of Scotland. Some patchy rain here also for the North West, especially on the upslopes.
Temperatures not as low here and through Friday, with a ridge moving in from the West. Many areas are experiencing dry conditions as temperatures rise to about 11C, 12C.
“Not a bad Day, although there will always more cloud and some dampness throughout the Far North and North West.
Saturday will remain cloudy and dull, with showers likely to fall southwards in Scotland and Northern Ireland.
Early rain will soon move southwards by Sunday. Then it will be mostly dry with sunny spells, variable amounts of cloud, and mostly dry. There are also some showers possible.
Ms. Nasir stated that Saturday will see gales in the North and West of Scotland, as well as rain showers that will move southwards. It will be a sunny day wherever you are, but temperatures will rise slightly.
According to the Met Office’s outlook for November’s first half, it states that ‘Blustery showers may be possible in the far east or northeast at the beginning of the period, but these are quickly clearing. Otherwise, it is dry and sunny with long periods of sun.
‘Feeling colder at first, with frosts possible, particularly in the north. Rain and thicker clouds will continue to encroach on the west. Low pressure areas to the north or north of the UK will bring unsettled conditions. These conditions will mainly affect the north and west with heavy rain and strong winds, followed by cooler, showerier interludes.
The southeast, where there will be weak rain bands, is likely to have the driest weather. The average temperature is around average during this period, with the exception of brief cold spells.
The Met Office states that the period between November 18 and December 2 will be characterized by an increase in wintry showers from north and northwest. This is initially over higher ground, but there is also a low chance at lower levels later in this month.
Although there is not much evidence of prolonged, widespread settled weather conditions, it is likely that conditions will be less stormy or windy. Frost and fog are more likely in areas with more settled spells. Temperatures are slightly lower than average. Overall, the weather is generally dryer than average.
BBC Weather’s forecast for this period stated that: “Moving into November, we should notice an overall colder pattern start to take shape.” It said that high pressure near Greenland would help direct colder air towards the UK, resulting in a period of below-normal temperatures.
The winds will decrease as the Greenland High becomes more established and occasionally extends towards Northern Europe. This pattern doesn’t seem to be dry, although low pressure is expected to remain close by. It is also unlikely that it will be extremely wet.