This morning I noticed at 6am that the cars in the street outside had no frost. None. Yet Wednesday to Friday was cold enough for the windscreens were thoroughly frozen.

In fact, Wednesday is the first day I recall since autumn in which frost lay all day. As a kid I found mild NI weather annoying, because snow didn't last. But I do like spring and on Tuesday I was surprised at lunch to see daffodils already in Marks and Spencer and bought some for our Belfast office. I sent a pic of them in the window against blue skies to people by WhatsApp phone.

A friend I had visited in Los Angeles in October replied about the weather there and the wildfire risk. I mentioned my fear that a blaze would take out a neighbourhood in LA, something I have feared since the devastating Camp Fire and Malibu fires. Hours later, my friend saw the Pacific Palisades fire begin. We had his first thoughts, pics and video online within 90 minutes, by 845pm UK time. 

Here are David Morrow's updated end-of-week reflections on the heart-breaking fires. 

And in my column I write about how the weather was the second most striking thing (after the Trump re-election) about my US visit.

In other stories, this very interesting letter challenges the scathing reaction to Paul Givan's decision not to grant integrated status to two Bangor schools.

Here, Hugo Duncan talks to Helen McGurk about his MBE and his weight loss due to illness.

And this is Jackie McGregor's latest column on child problem's no-one prepared you for.

Enjoy your Saturday and your reading,

Ben