Alexander Buchan (1829-1907), a pioneering Scottish meteorologist, identified an annual and reasonable reliable rhythm to unseasonable weather; these periods (six colder than we might expect, and three warmer) have come to be known as the Buchan Periods.   Since then, others have analysed historical weather records - and it seems there might be regular large-scale weather patterns in the UK.   Do not expect all the different attempts to agree, however; that would be asking too much.

This little summary may well prove more useful in getting a feel for how the current season is warmer or milder, wetter or drier, than normal - given the vagaries of our climate over the last ten years.   If you would like something a little more trustworthy than my attempt to collate lots of information, these are some links I found most interesting.

• Information on Weather Singularities for the UK

October (autumn)

October is often mild during the day, with sunny spells (and the odd shower); lovely weather for working the plot.   Wet and windy weather (autumn gales) can break the pattern - expect them around the 5th to the 12th, and the 26th to the 29th.

November (autumn)

Early in the month, the weather may be mild with spells of rain; the 14th to 24th is usually settled, with quiet, foggy weather.   The 25th to the 29th traditionally brings wet and windy storms, possibly with gales.

The sixth of Buchan's Cold Spells - 6-13 November.

December (autumn)

The first ten days are often wet, cold and windy - with gales likely from the 6th to the 12th.   The few days before Christmas are traditionally quiet and frosty, with fairly settled weather.   The last week of the month often brings stormy weather, with gales and heavy rain, sleet or snow.   It is likely to be very cold, day and night.

The third of Buchan's Warm Spells - 3-14 December.

Winter starts "officially" on the solstice - the 21st December.

January (winter)

The first half of the month is traditionally wet, cold and windy.   The period of 15th to the 24th may bring a brief settled respite - dry, cold and frosty.   Storms return around the 24th, bringing gales and a high risk of snow through to the 3rd February.

February (winter)

February is the coldest month of the year - the first couple of days frequently give snow.   The coldest days and nights of all usually fall during the settled weather of the 8th to the 16th.   The last two weeks frequently bring stormy gales, with a high risk of snowfall.   In the north, snow may continue to the first week of March.

The first of Buchan's Cold Spells - 7-14 February.

March (winter)

Stormy weather at the beginning of the month is likely to give way to a period of mild "spring-like" days from around the 9th to the 23rd; the sun will shine, days are noticeably longer.   There will still be hard frosts at night, and wet stormy weather traditionally returns in the last seven days of the month.

April (spring)

Spring starts "officially" on the spring equinox (21st March),

However, a stormy period, likely from the 10th to the 19th, may bring high winds and showers, perhaps of snow in the north.   This usually gives way to milder more settled weather, but turning colder again in the last few days.

The second of Buchan's Cold Spells - 11-14 April.

May (spring)

The weather is usually cool with showers, and a substantial risk of frost at nights until the middle of the month.   From around the 17th, it is traditionally a period of settled, dry and warm weather.

The third of Buchan's Cold Spells - 9-14 May.

June (spring)

Cooler, wetter and windy weather is very likely around the 1st to the 4th, the 10th to the 14th, and the 18th to the 22nd, as the so-called "European monsoon" comes in from the west.

The rest of the month may well warmer with the risk of thunderstorms.

The fourth of Buchan's Cold Spells - 29th June - 4th July.

July (summer - huh?)

Summer solstice on the 21st June heralds the arrival of summer - officially, at least.

The first few days are usually unsettled (one of Buchan's cool periods), but we should be able to expect a very warm and settled period from around the 10th to the 22nd. The last week often brings heavy thunderstorms.

The first of Buchan's Warm Spells - 12-15 July.

August (summer - huh?)

The fifth Buchan Cool Period falls from the 6th to the 11th, and his second Warm Period from the 12th to the 15th.   Who would dare make any more definitive statement on high British summer?

There is still a high level of moisture in the winds blowing over the UK - ideal conditions for potato blight.   Keep a watchful eye on your crops, and be prepared to spray potatoes and tomatoes BEFORE blight strikes.

In the last two weeks, summer is likely to be already on the wane, bringing cooler and more changeable weather as the first of the "Autumn storms" come in.

September (summer - huh?)

The first two weeks (once known as "Old Wives' Summer) usually see thee or four very fine days, giving way to showery weather.   Autumn storms blow in from the 18th onwards, with the possibility of gales and wet weather from the 23rd to the end of the month.