Weather and climate change

Headline:

Unsettled and cold with rain, sleet and some strong winds.

This Evening and Tonight:

Further rain at times for many areas, sleet or wet snow still possible, though becoming increasingly confined to hills. A few clearer slots with patchy frost and some icy patches in southeast.

Saturday:

Still a lot of cloud bringing most areas some rain at times, perhaps a little wet snow for some, mainly on hills. A few brighter, drier exceptions but cold everywhere.

Outlook for Sunday to Tuesday:

Cold, with some coastal showers and risk of more organised rain across north-east UK early next week. Light winds at first, with areas of freezing fog, locally slow to clear.

Updated: 16:00 (UTC) on Fri 4 Dec 2020

Initially settled overall with the greatest chance of rain in the east. However, there will be a steadily increasing chance of more widespread unsettled weather, bringing cloud, rain, and possibly some hill snow at first, arriving from the Atlantic. The rain, accompanied by strong winds and coastal gales at times, will likely be heaviest in the west, whilst areas further east should remain drier longer. Towards the end of the period, it is likely that things will start becoming more settled again, though outbreaks of rain or showers are still expected at times. Showers could become wintry on high ground, and perhaps at lower levels. Temperatures are likely to begin below average, but quickly trending to around average. A chance of turning colder again later in the period.

Updated: 16:00 (UTC) on Fri 4 Dec 2020

Confidence is very low during this period, with forecast signals weak and rather mixed. On balance, most likely to remain changeable with periods of more settled and unsettled weather both likely. Outbreaks of rain and windy conditions are likely at times, particularly in the east and south, with wintry showers possible on high ground and maybe to lower levels at times. The west and northwest is most likely to see drier weather and sunshine, though this may extend to other parts at times. This will bring potential for fog, frost and very cold nights. Temperatures are likely to be at or below average for this time of year, though some milder interludes are possible. There is a possibility that conditions may become wetter and milder at the start of January.

Updated: 16:00 (UTC) on Fri 4 Dec 2020