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Good spot. Might there be a problem with the preamble - it seems to refer us to the second 'meaning' in chambers, which I take to be the second definition, which refers to things seeming to happen on consecutive days. The word you've noted has got to be relevant, but it's relevant to the first definition..? Argh.

I don't think it's an error - the preamble is too precise. I think the answer may well be to highlight the word you've pointed out - if that is highlighted, then it's 'seen', and if it's seen, then today (feb 2) is still exactly the same as feb 1- per defn 2 in Chambers- because it's still the same as the word highlighted which includes all the letters in 24a.

Does that make any sense?!

Is the 'timely' interruption WINTER?
This doesn't seem to fit with my answer to 24a

That's what I've got, yes.

Barista, I can see all your reasoning, but I just don't feel I've got this puzzle all tidied up neatly and logically.

Me neither! It seems too muddle an explanation.

Either way, I rather enjoyed the fact that 1 a and 1 d were the same as last week's. I almost decided not to do it, thinking that the Indie had messed up, before the different preamble made me think again. V amusing, for me at least.

I think I'm going to highlight 1 Across as it is 'more consistent withthe second meaning.

What are the two alternatives in the timely interruption WINTER?

The alternatives are implied by the first definition of the thematic phrase in Chambers - either it's (expressly) the end of winter or (implicitly) it isn't.