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Updated Monday 18th April 2005. Valid Tuesday 19th April 2005 to Wednesday 18th May 2005.

Mixed start, but becoming drier

Our forecast pattern indicates that the short term period, at least, will continue to have rather mixed conditions. Low pressure will be in control of the weather pattern across the UK and Ireland, although as we head into the final week of April high pressure should begin to assert an influence, if only for a short time.

Low pressure will bring mixed spells at the turn of the month, but after a brief cool to cold northerly air flow, conditions should settle down and start to warm up.

The beginning and middle of May should be dominated by high pressure. It will be fine and settle with good sunny spells through all areas, although there is a hint that later in the period the far south may become cloudier with showers.