Weather and climate change

Headline:

An unsettled end to the weekend.

Today:

Rather cloudy day with outbreaks of rain for most. Some of the rain could be showery and heavy across Wales and in the west. Rain moving eastwards through the day, leaving clear or even sunny spells in the west later.

Tonight:

Cloud and rain continue to move eastwards, but staying cloudy for many. Clear spells to the west, leading to frost and fog patches. Cloud then returns to the southwest later.

Monday:

A cloudy start to the week for many with outbreaks of light rain and showers. Dry in the southwest to start with but more persistent rain moves in later.

Outlook for Tuesday to Thursday:

Remaining unsettled with showers or longer spells of heavy rain affecting most areas, coupled with brisk winds at times. Further snow on northern hills. Below average temperatures in the north.

Updated: 04:00 (UTC) on Sun 1 Feb 2026

Frontal systems over the Atlantic, steered by a south-shifted jet stream, are likely to approach the UK at times, but tending to stall as they encounter a blocking area of high pressure to the north and northeast. This will result in further spells of rain at times, falling in areas already sensitive to flooding. As these bands of rain spread northwards, some snow will be possible on high ground in northern England and Scotland as they encounter colder air. A subtle shift southwards of these areas of low pressure is anticipated during the second week of February, which may allow a greater chance of colder air to spread across northern UK at least, bringing an increased risk of wintry hazards for a time.

Updated: 14:00 (UTC) on Sat 31 Jan 2026

Whilst confidence is lower through this period, a south-shifted jet stream is likely to persist much of the time, steering areas of low pressure towards and south of the UK. This is likely to bring further spells of wet and windy weather, rain most frequent in the south and west, and perhaps also eastern Scotland, with the driest conditions, relative to normal, in northwest Scotland. Some hill snow will be possible at times as the wet weather encounters colder air across northern parts of the UK. Temperatures for the period as a whole will likely be close to average in the southwest, but a little below in the northeast.

Updated: 15:00 (UTC) on Sat 31 Jan 2026