If you were out early this morning (Tuesday 13 October) you’ll have met it: the Met Office had heavy rain moving south-east across England and Wales through the morning with blustery winds, drier and brighter in the afternoon, then heavy showers into the north later. Wednesday to Friday brings a slow-moving band of rain heading south, and it stays windy in the north. Then it changes.
The odd part is how mild it is. The Met Office calls today "unusually mild for October", particularly in eastern and south-eastern England. Wales got to around 20C on Monday, London is forecast around 21C today and again on Thursday, and even behind the rain North Wales is looking at around 17C. For mid-October that is warm, wet air, and it matters more to a fridge van than most people think.
Here’s why. Mild, humid air is harder work for a fridge unit than crisp cold air. Every time the back door opens on a doorstep, damp air gets in, condenses on the evaporator as frost, and the unit spends more of its time defrosting instead of holding temperature. If you are doing twenty drops of cakes, dairy or veg this week, that adds up. Keep openings short, use strip curtains if you have them, and don’t stand chatting with the door open.
On the road, surface water and gusts are the issue. A loaded box van is top-heavy and high-sided, so it catches crosswinds on exposed roads and bridges. Allow a bit longer on the round, keep speed sensible, and check wipers, tyres and lights before you set off. Pre-chill the box before loading, load pre-chilled stock only, and look at your temperature readings after a wet run. A damp floor or wet door seal is a sign the seal wants looking at.
From Friday the Met Office expects it to turn colder and brighter with lighter winds. Looking further out, from Saturday 17 to Monday 26 October high pressure should sit close to or over the UK: largely fine and dry, temperatures about normal for the time of year, overnight mist and fog patches, and frosty mornings in the usual spots. The fridge gets an easier ride, but early starts could be slow going with poor visibility, so budget time for that too.
Quick checklist
- Check wipers, tyres and lights before wet, windy morning runs
- Keep rear door openings short; humid air means more defrost cycles
- Pre-chill the box and load pre-chilled stock only
- Wet seals or a damp floor? Get the door seal checked
- From Friday, allow extra time for mist and fog on early starts
Also in the news
- CIPS survey on 10 October: nearly 1 in 4 supply-chain leaders expect food and drink input prices up 10% or more next quarter, naming dairy, vegetables and coffee. Source
- Grocery Gazette on 9 October: the same survey points to possible shortages and narrower choice before Christmas, so plan stock early. Source
- FSA alert on 10 October: Ukrainian shell eggs stamped 3UA1012066 may carry Salmonella; bakers and caterers, check the stamp on the shell itself. Source
If this week has shown up a tired unit or a van that’s too small for the Christmas run, these three are worth a look.
- 2024 24 Reg Ford Transit Connect L2 Limited Refrigerated Freezer Van: £23,995 +VAT
- 2024 74 Reg Renault Trafic Blue Dci 2.0 Ll30 Advance L2 H1 Refrigerated Chiller Van: £25,495 +VAT
- 2022 Renault Master 35 Business+ LWB Refrigerated Freezer Van: £30,495 +VAT
Call us on 01444 245555 to talk it through.
Sources: United Kingdom (National) weather – Met Office, Met Office forecasts heavy rain across UK on Tuesday, October 13, dailypost.co.uk, Businesses and consumers could be hit hard in the run up to Christmas 2026 as continued supply-chain disruption will see double-digit price rises hitting transport, household staples, food and technology products the Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply (CIPS) is warning., grocerygazette.co.uk, Mixed conditions ahead with wind, rain and sunshine in the forecast – Met Office
