IT LOOKS like being another cold week for the Isle of Man and it will feel even colder as the predominantly north east winds arrive from the Arctic Circle, bringing frost at the end of the week.
It increases the likelihood of more icy conditions on roads - particularly in the mornings - with sheltered northern and north western valleys such as Tholt y Will, Ballaugh, Glen Helen and Druidale most likely to be hit by the frosts.
The cold weather of last week produced some spectacular sights over the weekend with lots of people spotted taking photographs of the thick fog and mist which covered large parts of the Isle of Man.
On Saturday a thick veil of near freezing fog covered the whole of the north of the Island and along both the eastern and western coasts, with the central valley between Douglas and Peel entirely enveloped for more than 24 hours.
A spokesman for the Met Office at Ronaldsway said the conditions on Saturday were quite unusual for the Island. “We usually get ‘advection fog’ (sea fog) in a moist, mild, southerly airstream. On this occasion, radiation fog had formed on a cold night, both here and over southern Scotland.
“A light northerly wind drifted Scotland’s fog towards us. The small amount of warmer sea from there to here wasn’t enough to lift the fog to low cloud, so we had the unusual situation of fog both in the valleys, and on the coast. The mountain was above the fog, which was only a few hundred feet deep.”
The Island’s mountains saw warm sunshine above the fog, giving the opportunity for spectacular photographs. If you have any photographs we would be pleased to publish them. Send to newsroom@isleofman.com
One of our pictures comes from the Met Office scientific officer / observer Gary Salisbury who took shots of striking “Mamma” cloud formations which are caused by downdraughts and turbulence in shower clouds. This well defined example was taken at Ronaldsway Airport on January 14th.
THIS WEEK'S FORECAST:
Tuesday 25th January:
Weather: Occasional light rain or drizzle, with hill fog, clearing overnight.
Min: 4. Max: 8
Wind: WNW or NW veering NNE, 15 to 22, increasing 18 to 25.
Visibility: Good, occasionally moderate
Wednesday 26th January:
Weather: Dry.
Min: 2. Max: 7
Wind: NNE veering E or NE, 18 to 25, decreasing 12 to 18.
Visibility: Good.
Comments: Ground frost overnight.
Thursday 27th January:
Weather: Mostly dry.
Min: 0. Max: 5
Wind: E or NE 12 to 18, becoming variable 5 to 10.
Visibility: Mainly good.
Comments: Slight frost / ground frost.
Friday 28th January:
Weather: Dry.
Min: 0. Max: 6
Wind: Variable 5 to 10, becoming NW 8 to 15.
Visibility: Good.
Comments: Slight frost / ground frost.
