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If you enjoyed the spring-like sunshine over the weekend and thought the weather has finally turned a
comer, you're sadly mistaken.
Chilly (寒冷) days and grey clouds are forecast for the week-making it far too early to pack away the
winter woollies.
Temperatures will struggle to rise above zero at night and fail to make double figures during the day.
People enjoy the spring sunshine in Sefton Park, Aigburth, Liverpool. Forecasters have predicted a return
to chilly weather this week.
Met office forecaster Charlie said. "It was a nice, dry, bright weekend in many parts and Monday is going
to be a similar affair for many."
"Temperatures will be between 5℃ and 8℃, which is below average for the start of spring."
The sun will disappear from the south of the country after today, with dry but cloudy conditions forecast
for tomorrow and Wednesday.
Wednesday will be warmest of the three, with temperatures peaking at 9℃. But this is still two degrees
below the March average for the district.
Overnight, temperatures will drop sharply with lows of minus 30℃ for the next three nights.
"It will generally stay on the cold side of average," said Mr. Powell.
The March misery comes at the end of the coldest winter for more than 30 years.
Temperatures in December, January and February struggled to stay above zero, with the UK's average
l.5℃, making it the deepest freeze since 1978-79.
It claimed there was just a one-in-seven chance of a cold December to February.
The agency also sadly predicted a "barbecue summer", saying it was "quite optimistic" that it would be
warmer and drier than average.
Following the two mistakes, the Met Office has dropped its long-range seasonal forecasts and will instead
publish a monthly prediction for Britain, updated once a week.
In its defense, it says that while short-term forecasts are extremely accurate, Britain's size and geographical
position makes long-term predictions much more challenging.
It also points out that it gave warning of any heavy falls of snow this winter.
1. According to the passage, the weather on Tuesday in the south might be _____. [ ]
A. dry but cloudy
B. sunny but chilly
C. sunny and warm
D. cloudy and chilly
2. Which of the following statements is true according to the passage? [ ]
A. British people can put away their winter clothes now.
B. The Met Office has shortened its forecast range.
C. The weather forecast becomes more and more accurate.
D. The agency was quite confident of long-term predictions.
3. Which of the following would be the best title for the passage? [ ]
A. The big chill isn't over yet
B. A warm spring finally arrives
C. A heavy snow is on the way
D. The Met Office drops forecasts
4. From the passage, we can conclude _____. [ ]
A. the weather report is more and more important
B. British people become worried about bad weather
C. Britain has just experienced a very freezing winter
D. the agency can always predict heavy snow falls accurately
