Frenzied Atlantic cyclones tormenting meteorologists will call the final shots over when Britain’s sunshine will reappear.
A barrage of low-pressure systems hurtling towards Britain through the end of April threatens a wind and rain-swept run into late spring.
Experts are keeping their eyes glued to high pressure close by which, when it eventually pushes through the lows, will herald the return of the sun.
But to-ing and fro-ing meteorological weather models have once again delayed the good weather.
Two bands of rain will pass over the UK from Friday to Sunday
Met Office
Met Office meteorologist Alex Burkill said: “A system is likely to track its way in as we go into Friday, but there are some question marks about this system, and the Met Office global model is a little bit quick with how it progresses across the UK.
“Eventually this system will push through but like how it’s not quite got the position right, our model is overdoing the rain amounts as the system pushes eastwards as we go through into the weekend.
“That clears through, and there is another system out in the west and again the position of this is a little bit too far east, and as we go through Sunday, the next system comes through, and we can see some wet weather towards the northwest of the UK.”
Experts are frantically speculating over the exact timing of spring’s return, with some forecasts hinting at next week.
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High pressure expected to take the reins next week
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However, the overall outlook for the next couple of days is for more grey skies, rain and chilly starts.
Burkill said: “There is the potential that we could see two bands of rain, one Friday into Saturday and another one into Sunday, pushing across, but I think a lot of it will be further west and southwest than a lot of the model data suggests.”
“The rain is likely to break up quite a lot on the weekend, so most eastern parts aren’t going to see huge amounts of that rain, as it pushes through overnight into Saturday, and then there is another system out in the west, and the position of this is a little bit too far east.
“Friday morning could be even chillier than Thursday morning for many of us.”
But sun-lovers could have to wait only a few more days before the time arrives to crack out the tan lotion.
Atlantic low pressure is expected to give way to high pressure after the weekend, with temperatures nudging 20C.
Jim Dale, meteorologist for British Weather Services and social commentator, said: “Next week brings more of a chance of high pressure returning, and with that, the return to higher temperatures.
“Some of the models are predicting 20C or above after the weekend, with a general improvement in the weather.
“This high could become established over the UK, and that would spell an end to the wet weather.”
Disagreeing forecast models have meteorologists closely watching for an imminent change in the weather.
AccuWeather’s lead international forecaster Jason Nicholls said: “There are modelling differences later in the week and these show either a drier and brighter pattern or further outbreaks of rain.
“I am leaning towards the former, with drier conditions in the south and the greatest risk of further rain in the north.”
