Weather and climate change

Headline:

On the cold side this weekend.

Today:

Early rain and hill snow over parts of Wales, the Midland and southern England fading leaving sunny spells. Some heavy showers for coastal counties in eastern UK and parts of the far west and southwest. Mostly dry elsewhere. Feeling cold.

Tonight:

A cold night with freezing fog patches across Northern Ireland and eastern, central and southern England later. Cloud and outbreaks of rain developing across parts of Scotland and northern England.

Sunday:

Early cloud and outbreaks of rain over eastern Scotland and northern England spreading southwards. Western UK faring best and fine for many. Feeling quite cold.

Outlook for Monday to Wednesday:

Still cold with overnight frosts and morning fog patches. Variable cloud with showers for some coastal parts. More organised rain, hill snow and stronger winds across the northeast on Tuesday.

Updated: 04:00 (UTC) on Sat 5 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: 04:00 (UTC) on Sat 5 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: 04:00 (UTC) on Sat 5 Dec 2020