High pressure is firmly in charge of the UK’s weather this week, bringing largely dry, settled conditions for many.
At first glance, this might appear uneventful, but a closer look at the atmosphere reveals some interesting features beneath the calm surface.
The high-pressure system is positioned to the north of the UK, creating a blocking pattern that is preventing Atlantic weather systems from making much progress eastwards. This setup is expected to persist for some time, helping to maintain fine conditions through the remainder of the week and, potentially, beyond.
While most places will experience sunshine and dry weather, this pattern also brings some notable side effects, from strong local winds to very low humidity levels.
Strong winds despite high pressure
Although high pressure typically brings light winds, that is not the case everywhere. With a low-pressure system sitting to the south-west of the UK, the pressure gradient tightens across parts of south-west England, leading to strong easterly winds.
Exposed areas, particularly over higher ground such as Dartmoor, are likely to see some notable gusts. In the most exposed locations, gusts could briefly reach 40–50 mph. These winds will be highly localised and are not expected to be widespread enough for formal warnings, but they may still cause disruption.
Routes crossing higher ground are most at risk, where sudden changes in wind strength can catch drivers out. Sheltered valleys may experience calmer conditions, only for winds to increase sharply again after moving further west, highlighting the influence of local terrain.
Elsewhere across southern England, it will also feel breezy at times, even though the overall weather remains dry and bright.
Why the air is so dry
One of the most striking features of the current setup is how dry the air has become. This is largely down to the direction from which our air is arriving.
Rather than coming from the Atlantic, where air typically picks up moisture, winds are drawing air in from the east and north-east. Much of this air has travelled across the near continent or even descended from higher levels over Scandinavia. As it sinks towards the surface, it undergoes compression, warming as it does so through a process known as adiabatic heating.
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This sinking, warming air becomes increasingly dry, leading to very low humidity levels by the time it reaches the UK. In some areas, afternoon relative humidity values are dropping to around 25–30%, which is exceptionally low by UK standards.
Overnight, humidity levels rise as temperatures fall, but daytime dryness quickly returns under sunny skies.
The effects of very low humidity
Very dry air can feel pleasant, but it does have some noticeable effects. One is an increased likelihood of static electricity. With little moisture in the air, static charge is less able to disperse, making static shocks more likely when touching household objects, car doors, or metal surfaces.
While this is more commonly experienced in winter, the unusually dry conditions this week mean it may occur more frequently than normal for the time of year.
Dry air also allows temperatures to rise more readily during the day under sunshine, while clear skies at night can allow temperatures to fall further, increasing the day–night temperature range.
Inversions and dry air aloft
Humidity charts show something particularly interesting towards the end of the week, especially over higher ground in parts of southern Britain. In some places, humidity remains relatively low even overnight.
This points to the presence of a temperature inversion, where warmer air sits above cooler air near the surface. Inversions limit vertical mixing in the atmosphere, trapping cooler, more humid air below while dryer air sits above. Over higher terrain, it is possible to rise above the inversion into exceptionally dry air. These conditions can sometimes offer very clear views above low cloud.
A prolonged dry spell
Looking more widely, the dominant high-pressure pattern shows little sign of breaking down in the near term. The forecast suggests largely settled conditions will continue through the rest of April, with only limited opportunities for rain.
A few weak weather fronts may brush western or northern areas at times, bringing cloud and occasional light rain, but for many parts of the UK rainfall totals are expected to remain low.
This continues a theme already seen through much of the month. Eastern parts of England, in particular, have received well below average rainfall so far, with some areas recording only a small fraction of what would typically fall by this point in April.
By contrast, parts of western Scotland have seen closer to, or above, average rainfall, highlighting the strong north-west to south-east contrast across the UK.
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Implications of dry weather
While many people welcome the sunshine after a long, wet winter, the lack of rain is not positive for everyone. Farmers, gardeners, and water managers are becoming increasingly aware of soil moisture deficits, especially in areas that were already dry earlier in the year.
If the current pattern persists into May, attention will increasingly turn to potential impacts on agriculture and water resources.
Looking ahead to the weekend
As the weekend approaches, winds are expected to ease for most places, with high pressure still close by. Cloud may increase at times, particularly in the west and north, with a few patches of rain possible, but many areas will remain dry.
Temperatures will generally ease back slightly from midweek highs, with maxima in the mid to high teens for many. These conditions are likely to feel comfortable rather than hot, especially with lighter winds.
Overall, it looks like a largely settled and usable weekend for outdoor plans.
Rising UV levels
One important consideration under prolonged sunny conditions is ultraviolet radiation. UV levels are climbing quickly at this time of year and are now reaching values more typical of late summer.
Even though air temperatures are not especially high, UV can still be strong, particularly around the middle of the day. This can catch people out, as cooler air masks the effects of sun exposure.
With clear skies and low humidity, UV levels are expected to be moderate to high across much of the UK during the coming days. Taking sensible precautions, such as using sunscreen, wearing sunglasses, and limiting prolonged exposure during peak hours, is advisable.
Clear nights and meteor activity
Clear skies are also providing good conditions for observing the night sky. With limited cloud cover on several nights, there are favourable opportunities for stargazing.
One highlight this week is the Lyrid meteor shower, which peaks around late April. Under clear skies away from artificial light, occasional meteors may be visible during the late evening and early morning hours.
Allowing time for your eyes to adjust to the darkness will improve the chances of spotting them.
Keep up to date with weather warnings, and you can find the latest forecast on our website, on YouTube, by following us on X and Facebook, as well as on our mobile app which is available for iPhone from the App store and for Android from the Google Play store.
