Weather and climate change

Headline:

Bright for many today. Rain reaching the southwest later.

Today:

A cold and frosty start, but for many it will be a dry and sunny day today. A few wintry showers may affect the far north and North Sea coasts, with cloud and rain reaching the far southwest later.

Tonight:

Cloud and rain across the far southwest extending into southern England, Wales and Northern Ireland, with some snow possible over hills. Mostly dry elsewhere with a frost developing.

Wednesday:

Mostly dry across Scotland and northern England with spells of sunshine. Outbreaks of rain and mainly hill snow elsewhere with southern areas becoming windy with coastal gales. Feeling cold.

Outlook for Thursday to Saturday:

Rain and snow clearing the south on Thursday leaving a mainly dry and bright day. Turning milder from Friday but with further bands of wet and windy weather moving eastwards.

Updated: 04:00 (UTC) on Tue 17 Feb 2026

Remaining changeable to begin with, as Atlantic low pressure systems push east over or to the north of the UK. This means further spells of wet and at times windy weather, interspersed with brighter, showery interludes. Some heavy rain is likely, especially across high ground areas in the west and north, though some sheltered eastern and southern parts may see comparively little rain. It will like be relatively mild overall, though some occasional colder spells are possible, particularly in the north. Around the turn of the month, there is a signal that high pressure will become more dominant, meaning more in the way of dry weather developing.

Updated: 14:00 (UTC) on Mon 16 Feb 2026

This period may start of predominantly settled, with high pressure close by to the UK. However the orientation of any anticyclone and its location relative to the UK is much more uncertain, which has knock-on effects on the type of weather we can expect. Towards mid March, there are indications that more generally changeable conditions of Atlantic origin may develop once more, with a return to spells of wind and rain at times.

Updated: 15:00 (UTC) on Mon 16 Feb 2026