Why is it so windy today? Where the wind is strongest in the UK and latest Met Office weather forecast
The UK has been basking in a balmy bank holiday weekend, with Sunday the hottest day of the year so far.
Temperatures have eased off a little today, although it is remaining dry and broadly fine for the majority of areas.
However, while many people will be hoping to get out and about on their well-earned day off, some parts of the country are distinctly blustery.
Why is it so windy?
The Met Office weather forecast for bank holiday Monday onwards suggested that there would be a contrast between the east and west of the UK in the coming days.
It advised that while high pressure would keep conditions “settled for many”, it would be “breezy in the far north and south where isobars are more tightly spaced”.
Isobars are the lines used by meteorologists on weather maps to denote areas of the same atmospheric pressure.
When the isobars are more tightly spaced, it signifies that there are more variations in pressure, caused by the risking and sinking of air in the atmosphere – this is what causes windy weather.
The forecaster added that while it would be “pleasantly warm when sheltered”, it would be “feeling cool when exposed to the breeze”.
According to the Met Office’s forecast map for the afternoon of Monday 29 May, the strongest winds in the UK are to be found in the south-east, with average speeds of 21mph in Dover and 18mph in Brighton and London.
By contrast, the vast majority of areas in northern England and Scotland are expected to see wind speeds below 10mph.
As the week goes on, the Met Office says “the northeasterly breeze will begin feeding cloud into eastern coasts,” meaning that the best of the weather will remain in western regions.
It is set to “remain breezy along southern coasts of England” towards the end of the week.
How hot has the bank holiday weekend been?
The Met Office confirmed that the UK had seen its hottest day of the year on Sunday, beating Saturday’s previous high by a tenth of a degree.
Temperatures hit 24.4C in Plymouth, narrowly topping the previous record of 24.3C in Bramham, West Yorkshire.
People took advantage of the balmy conditions, taking to the outdoors to sunbathe, paddle board and wake board among other activities.
However, there have also been several water-related deaths over the weekend, prompting emergency services to issue fresh safety warnings, with people more likely to be near water over the warm bank holiday.
Met Office meteorologist Jonathan Vautrey predicted more sunshine on Monday, but cooler temperatures.
He said: “Generally, there will be a lot of dry weather around and a good amount of sunshine still.
“Hazy cloud pushing through at times might make the sunshine hazy in places. Temperatures then going to be feeling cooler along eastern coastal areas.”
Wales and south-west England were forecast to be warmest on Monday with temperatures possibly reaching 20C.
Additional reporting from Press Association
