Weather 2008: Your essential forecast

Rainbow over Cambelltown

With much of Scotland, Northern Ireland and North-East England blanketed in snow this week and the rest of us waiting in dreaded anticipation for our turn to tuck the clubs away, Golfmagic.com thought it opportune to consult meteorologist and weather oracle Ian Currie from www.frostedearth.com, to discover what the weather has in store for golfers this year.

Unlike bowlers, tennis players and, to a certain extent footballers, who can step inside to continue playing, golfers must stay outside to fully pursue their passion.

Okay, we can beat balls under cover on the driving range or even into a indoor net - but it's not real golf is it? Crushing a drive 250 yards, finding it in the rough, thrashing it out, chipping on to the green and reading a wickedly curving putt...that's golf. Having a bloke on a tractor scoop up your wayward balls isn't!

So with all this talk of global warming, unhealthily high temperatures for the season, floods and winds that whip the roofs of our homes in the blink of an eye, what kind of year might British and Irish-based golfers expect?

Last summer was the wettest on record over England and Wales when Ian correctly predicted in his long range forecast that 2007 would please water companies after the dry conditions of 2006. He also foresaw a mild winter and it turned out to be the fourth mildest on record.

So here's our exclusive look at the year ahead. Will you need to invest in sunglasses or waterproofs, cool, ventilated shirts or woolly jumpers, shorts or cords? Remember, you read it here first!

JANUARY Will continue to be quite changeable with some large variations in temperature, though it should not be too far from average. Coldest conditions will be in Scotland but the occasional showers may penetrate the South of England for a day or two. There could be some very mild days and nights across the south this month, too. Overall, however, it will be wetter than average with high winds.
FEBRUARY It will contiinue to be unsettled with frequent temperature variations, though overall just above average. Expect more high winds from the south west blowing to gale force in western areas. Some of the high towns in the north of England such as Buxton in Derbyshire and across Scotland will be prone to some snow at times. The eastern side of Britain may be more at risk in the first week of February but areas further south, especially the south west look set to escape the worst of the wintry conditions. It will be wet during the middle of the month with another burst of snow towards the end of the month in hilly parts in the north and east.
MARCH March may see some of the coldest conditions of the winter half of the year so be prepared for frequent changes of weather. It's a good adage that runs: "if in March there's sun and heat it will not be long before there's snow and sleet."Wind will predominate from the north, with mean values around 2C below. Snow showers frequent in the East of Scotlanbd and England, keeping Spring growth of courses in check. Best of the weather in the west, with Wales and the South West drier than normal with sunny spells.
APRIL Wait until the second half of April if you are planning a few days away on a golf break. The month looks to start cold with some wintry weather giving snow (yes snow!) showers, especially in hilly areas. However, take solace from the fact that you can watch the unofficial start to the season - the US Masters from Augusta (April 10-13) on TV. The second half of the month will have warm days, even topping summer-like 27C (80F), leading to a rapid increase in soil temperature and course growth. Rainfall everywhere should be on the low side with sunshine totals highest in the west of Britain and in Northern Ireland.
MAY May could see quite a few thunderstorms and these could prove a hazard to golfers. Avoid standing under trees especially oak and ash as the old saying reminds us, "avoid the oak it courts the stroke, avoid the ash it attracts the flash". Studies have shown that these trees are vulnerable to lightning strikes. Look out for towering cumulus clouds with dark bases as a sign of a developing storm. Not only lightning but also sudden downpours giving flooded greens are another hazard. This thundery spell could coincide with the BMW PGA Championships at Wentworth later in May. Courses near the sea in the east of Britain and especially the north east coast may be affected by fog patches during May as warm air crosses colder seas with winds coming in from the east. If fog patches do occur the temperature will plummet so pack a warm jumper.
JUNE The best place to take a holiday this month will be Scotland, especially more northern parts. Rainfall could be above average again across England England with some thundery falls in places. The south west of Britain may be another area that avoids the rain and could have more sunshine than average. With the US Open at Torrey Pines' South course in San Diego, Caliifornia from June 12-15, expect more Tiger Woods domination on what is regarded as his 'home' course.
JULY Expect a hot spell coming along during the first 10 days of July with temperatures reach 30C (86F) in places. So make sure you wear plenty of protection when you're playing and keep hydrated. The greens will dry out so expect a hard and bouncing Royal Birkdale (pictured right) for The Open at Southport (July 17-20) preceded by the usual lush Barclays Scottish Open at Loch Lomond (July 10-13). Mid month it will become unsettled though the far south could remain on the dry side. Rainfall above average in The Midlands and northern England. For a break after the Open, it may be best to head north as Scotland could well have the best of the weather and with light evenings play can go on quite late.
AUGUST The trend will continue into August with better weather in the north of England, Ireland, north Wales and Scotland. It will be warm in most places with southern England at risk from thundery outbreaks. A fine spell looks set to coincide with the Johnny Walker event at Gleneagles (Aug 28-31).
SEPTEMBER There could be some summerlike warmth in September but the best of the weather looks like transferring to the east so best golf conditions are set for eastern Scotland and north-east England. Take some wet weather gear if you are in Devon and Cornwall, west Wales and Ireland. We could have temperatures upto 28C (83F) during the first week in the south with a low pressure settled over the south-west bringing wet weather.
OCTOBER I am going for quite a pleasant October although the Alfred Dunhill event at St Andrews (October 2-5) may coincide with a rather unsettled beginning. However, the eastern side of Scotland may well escape the worst of the weather with systems effecting more the west and south of Britain. There may be a drift of wind off the North Sea making it cooler in those areas. Expect some lovely autumn colour on the parkland courses and some hot,steamy conditions as we watch the Ryder Cup battle at Valhalla, near Louisville Kentucky (Sept 19-21) perhaps giving an advantage to the US players.
NOVEMBER November may provide some enjoyable golfing days at home but late in the month frost will affect the greens for the early risers. Some very mild conditions looks set to open the month and it will be drier than average.
DECEMBER The really wet weather and waterlogged greens may hold off until the second half of December. Expect above average temperatures for the south of England with several bursts of cold, arctic air in Scotland. The rest of the country might even get that traditional round of golf on Boxing Day with mild temperatures as high as 15C(59F) over the holiday period, though it could be wet.