UK Pressure Chart

[Sam Kennedy]

Here is a surface pressure chart of the UK. What sort of things would I look for here to forecast weather?

 

[Andy Mayhew]

Hi Sam, it's probably better to post just links to MetO charts as they can be a bit particular about copyright.

From that specific chart all that can really be said is that with high pressure over the UK conditions are likely to be settled, but the presence of a deep depression in the vicinity of Iceland, with associated fronts, suggest a possibility of cloud and rain, and possibly stronger winds, affecting the NW of the UK within the next 24-48 hours (such systems tend to move eastwards)

The chart by itself doesn't provide enough information to determine temperature or cloud cover. However, in winter, with an easterly feed across southern England we might expect cloudy conditions around East Anglia and Kent, perhaps some snow flurries, with the brightest conditions in the west. This is because winds crossing the warmer North Sea would pick up moisture.

In summer we would expect the same airflow to produce warmer temperatures in the SE (coming off a warm continent), but still with a likelihood of the best sunshine being further west.

In both cases though more cloud can be expected in the far NW.

Wales would be a favoured place for those wanting sunshine, whatever the time of year.

Apart from the far NW, and the east coast, it should be dry across the UK whatever the time of year.

From experience, we might also be able to say that in autumn or spring, such settled conditions may produce mist or fog in prone spots of England and Wales.

Hope that helps a bit?