Spring vs. Winter. This year the first round went to the winter corner and now winter dug in Northern Europe and spring seems to be struggeling. However, while most models were predicting the cold spell to last for a while, the situation has changed compl etely. The general weather pattern is still the same, but it shifted slightly to the northwest. It is true that the next two days will have somewhat adverse conditions for many parts of the UK, but the milder air is pushing further north than we hoped ear lier this week. There is a good chance for pleasant weather for the weekend and with the spring equinox ahead the sun will become our most reliable ally.

However, let's have a look at the recent years taking London Heathrow Airport weather station as an example. Lacking the severe frost that we were having earlier this month real spring feeling did not come up until mid-April last year, when lowest night-time temperatures eventually last to stay above 5°C. 1999 was all different when temperatures had already reached a comparatively mild level and winter tried a last desperate and eventually hopeless comeback around mid-April. 1998 was the perfect template for 1999, when the last cold spell came around mid-April too and only 1997 saw another significant winter spell in May.