MAKE the most of the mild weather – it’s not going to last.
That was the warning today from Huddersfield weather expert Paul Stevens, who is predicting bitterly cold nights and even snow by the end of the week.
It will be a marked contrast to the weather we have enjoyed since the start of the New Year.
We have had five virtually rain-free days – the first such run since April 2012 – and also temperatures much above normal.
But that is expected to change by midweek and the weekend could see snow hitting Huddersfield.
The milder and drier weather, of course, comes after yet another month saw record-breaking rainfall figures.
Almost three times the average amount of rain fell on Huddersfield, making December as bad as many other months and 2012 the wettest on record.
Stevens, of Salendine Nook, said: “The New Year brought a dramatic change in the weather with the first full five days without rain since April 2012 and temperatures daily nearly 4°C above normal through the day and as much as 8°C above normal at night.
“All excellent news for our heating costs but this milder start to 2013 comes with a bitter sting.
“We are now in the middle of winter and after a relatively mild 2012 winter so far, by the end of this week Huddersfield will get a shock to the system.
“The change is due high pressure developing, as forecast in the Examiner before Christmas, to our North West probably near to Iceland. This will have the effect of bringing very cold east and north east winds in from the continent.
“Into next week they will bring possibly bitter air from the high Arctic or even Siberia which forecasters are watching as a developing situation very closely”.
He said during the first part of this week the weather will remain settled and mild, but through Tuesday rain will spread from the west as clearer and chillier air spreads southwards.
“Frosts return at night and during the evenings from Wednesday, with lows around minus 2c or 36f.
“During Friday high pressure moves further north and low pressure develops over southern England with a very cold easterly flow developing.
“Depending on how strong this wind is during next weekend we could even see the first of some snow showers reaching Huddersfield with temperatures close to zero day and night”.
The weatherman said: “After all the recent very mild weather it’s time to prepare for winter’s return and it could well be around for a few weeks. And next week snow may well be an issue”.
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