Met Office weekend weather: A change from stormy to settled

Author: Press Office

After last weekend was dominated by Storm Amy, which brought heavy rain and very strong winds, this weekend looks set to be a lot more settled.

This weekend, high pressure will be the dominant feature, bringing a much more settled outlook for most of the UK. The high pressure, initially positioned to the west on Friday, will gradually move eastwards, becoming centred across the UK as we head into the weekend. This shift will result in dry and settled conditions for many, although some regions will still experience breezier and cloudier weather at times.

Saturday: Chilly start, patchy fog, and bright spells

Saturday will begin on a chilly note for many, especially where skies have cleared overnight. The combination of clear skies and light winds will allow temperatures to drop, leading to the formation of mist and fog patches in some areas. These are most likely in sheltered spots and rural locations, particularly in central and southern parts of the country. However, any fog should lift and break quite quickly through the course of the morning, giving way to a dry start for most.

Cloud cover will be variable across the UK and the west and southern counties may see a fair amount, making for a rather grey start here in places. However, breaks in the cloud will allow some bright or sunny spells to develop, especially across eastern areas. In contrast, the far north of Scotland will remain breezy throughout much of the day, with thicker areas of cloud producing some drizzle at times. This could be persistent, particularly across the northern Isles.

For most, temperatures will be around average for the time of year, with highs reaching 17°C, possibly 18°C where sunshine persists. These values are similar to those experienced at the end of last week. Notably, eastern areas of Scotland could see temperatures above average, making it feel warm and pleasant in the autumnal sunshine. Winds will generally be light, except in the far north where it will be breezier.

As we move into Saturday night, high pressure will continue to dominate. Western and northern areas will tend to be cloudier, while elsewhere, variable cloud and clear spells are expected. Where skies clear, particularly in central and southern regions, fog patches are likely to form once again. Temperatures will fall under clear skies, leading to a chilly night for some.

Sunday: Similar themes, with more fog in places

Sunday’s weather will closely resemble Saturday’s, with high pressure still firmly in control. Most areas will remain dry, with light winds and plenty of bright or sunny spells. However, the lingering cloud will persist across northern areas of Scotland, continuing to produce some drizzle at times. As the day progresses, some areas may see cloud drifting in from the North Sea, turning skies greyer later in the afternoon.

A key difference on Sunday will be the potential for more widespread fog during the morning. The ensemble model highlights areas such as Northern Ireland, parts of Wales, Shropshire, Yorkshire, Lincolnshire, and central and southeastern England as being particularly prone to thicker fog in the early hours. This could cause some travel disruption, so early risers should take care. Fortunately, the fog should lift and break quite quickly through the morning.

READ MORE: Met Office 10-Day Trend: High pressure dominating, but for how long?

Temperatures on Sunday will be similar to Saturday, with highs reaching 17°C, possibly 18°C where sunshine persists. Winds will remain light for most, although the far north of Scotland will continue to experience breezier conditions. The combination of light winds and high pressure will maintain the settled feel, with only minor variations in temperature and cloud cover.

Looking ahead: high pressure remains in charge

As we look towards the start of next week, high pressure is expected to remain the dominant feature. This will prevent any significant weather fronts from moving in from the west, ensuring that the dry and settled conditions continue. Overnight, it will remain fairly chilly, with the risk of mist and fog during the early hours. However, as the high pressure gradually shifts eastwards, there may be a slight change in wind direction by midweek. This could bring more cloud to some areas, but also the potential for increased sunshine, particularly as we move into Wednesday.

In summary, this weekend will bring a welcome change from last weekend's stormy weather. High pressure will deliver dry, settled conditions for most, with variable cloud, bright or sunny spells, and temperatures near or slightly above average for the time of year.

Fog will be a feature during the early mornings, especially on Sunday, but should clear quickly. The far north of Scotland will remain breezier and cloudier, with some drizzle at times, but elsewhere, it will feel warm and pleasant in the autumn sunshine. The outlook for the start of next week remains settled, with high pressure continuing to keep unsettled weather at bay.

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.

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