As we move deeper into November, many across the UK will have noticed a sharp drop in temperatures.
The question on everyone’s mind: how long will this cold spell last, and what can we expect as we look ahead to the next 10 days?
Here’s the latest Met Office outlook, based on the evolving jet stream and the latest forecast models.
A meandering jet stream brings Arctic chill
The current cold spell is being driven by a meandering jet stream pattern. At present, the jet stream is looping north and south, placing the UK on its cold side. This setup has allowed Arctic air to sweep down across the country, resulting in bitterly cold conditions, especially in western areas exposed to the wind.
The chill has been particularly noticeable overnight, with widespread frost and temperatures in parts of Scotland dropping as low as -11 or -12°C.
Cold nights and snow risk continue
The latter part of this week will continue to bring very cold nights. The Arctic air remains in place, and while there will be plenty of dry weather, early mornings and evenings carry a risk of snow and ice.
An early taste of winter on Thursday with a frosty or icy start to the day, albeit with blue skies and sunshine for many of us🌤️
— Met Office (@metoffice) November 19, 2025
Wintry showers around the periphery of the UK, with heavy hail and snow showers in places, particularly in northern Scotland and northeast England ❄️ pic.twitter.com/STiewybCBy
The Met Office has issued several warnings, including an amber snow warning across parts of Yorkshire, where travel disruption is likely. Eastern areas are set to see continuous snow showers, while the west will gradually turn drier as we approach Friday.
Friday: the coldest start, then a transition
Friday morning is expected to be the coldest start of the week, with widespread frost and some of the lowest temperatures so far this season. However, as the day progresses, a transition begins.
Wetter and milder weather will start to move in from the north and west, although much of eastern Scotland and northern England will remain dry and bright for most of the day. Despite the sunshine, temperatures will struggle to reach five or six degrees, and the sun’s strength is limited at this time of year.
Weekend: rain, wind, and milder air
As we head into the weekend, a band of rain is forecast to push across the country from Friday night into Saturday morning. This will bring some heavy spells of rain and increased cloud cover, which will help keep overnight temperatures higher than in previous nights. For most areas, Friday night will be much milder than Thursday night, with the exception of the southeast, which will remain cold until the rain arrives later on Saturday.
There is still some uncertainty about how the low-pressure system will develop over the weekend, but the overall expectation is for wet and windy weather. While rainfall totals are not expected to be exceptional, some areas, particularly those that have already seen significant rainfall this month, may be sensitive to further impacts. It’s a good idea to stay up to date with the latest warnings and advisories.
READ MORE: The UK’s cold weather records: A look at snow, frost, and the coldest nights
Early next week: a brief settled spell for some
Looking beyond the weekend, the forecast suggests a likely change in the weather pattern. High pressure may build to the north of the UK early next week, bringing a more settled spell, especially for western areas. This could mean drier and calmer conditions for a time. However, eastern areas may remain under the influence of low pressure, keeping things wetter and more unsettled there.
Confidence remains low for midweek
It’s important to note that confidence in the forecast decreases as we move further into next week. The general theme is for unsettled weather at the weekend, followed by a brief settled period, before a return to wetter, milder, and more changeable conditions by the end of the week.
Temperatures may turn colder again as northerly winds return, but it’s unlikely to be as cold as the current spell. There is also the potential for snow showers in northern areas as the pattern shifts.
With the weather set to remain changeable and confidence in the details lower than usual, it’s more important than ever to stay informed.
Keep up to date with weather warnings, and you can find the latest forecast on our website, on YouTube, by following us on X and Facebook, as well as on our mobile app which is available for iPhone from the App store and for Android from the Google Play store.
