Issued: 0530hrs Thursday 5th July 2007
Duty forecaster: Simon Keeling

Increasing pressure bringing sunshine for many, but rain spreading from the west

Good morning again.

A welcome relief on the way today, as pressure starts to build through the country. This rise in pressure is known as a 'ridge', and these typically bring short spells of fine weather, often preceding more unsettled conditions and rain.

And this is what is going to happen to the weather across the British Isles and Ireland during the course of today. I think there will be some morning showers in Scotland, but these should clear into the North Sea this afternoon. I can't rule out the threat of a shower over northern England and East Anglia too in the next few hours.

However, these won't last long, because as the pressure rises the showers will fade. Lots of sunshine then coming through and feeling very warm as well. For much of Wales, Scotland, England and Northern Ireland the morning is then going to be dry. It may stay this way into this afternoon for many of central and northern areas.

However, rain, already into southern Ireland this morning, will be spreading eastwards to be onto the coasts of west Wales and southwest England by midday. These then spreading eastwards through the rest of Wales, Northern Ireland and into central southern England by mid-afternoon. Winds increasing in the west. Next weeks forecast can be seen here.

Have a good day.
Simon
Email me at simon.keeling@weatheronline.co.uk