Crossword Genius

A danger out east at this time of the year (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

april

'this time of the year' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)

'a danger out east' is the wordplay.
'danger' becomes 'peril' (peril is a kind of danger).
'out' is a deletion indicator.
'east' becomes 'e' (abbreviation).
'peril' with 'e' taken away is 'pril'.
'a'+'pril'='APRIL'

'at' is the link.

(Other definitions for april that I've seen before include "Reputedly showery month" , "days on end" , "Eliot's 'cruellest month'" , "period of time" , "4th month" .)

I've seen this clue in The Guardian and The Globe and Mail.
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