The UK’s weather pattern shows little sign of shifting this week, with a familiar setup continuing to steer our conditions.
Over recent weeks, we have seen a persistent combination of cold air to the northeast and vigorous Atlantic systems pushing up from the southwest. This week follows the same theme, bringing further spells of rain, hill snow, and chilly winds, particularly across northern and eastern areas.
A strong jet stream, displaced further south than usual, continues to drive low‑pressure systems towards the UK. At the same time, a block of high pressure over Scandinavia maintains colder air across the northern half of the country. The interaction between these two features means incoming systems tend to stall, leading to repeated areas of rain and occasional disruptive snowfall.
Here’s what to expect from the week ahead.
Tuesday night into Wednesday: colder conditions and further hill snow
As we head into the evening, colder air intensifies across central and northern parts of the UK. Snow is expected over higher ground in Wales, the Pennines, and the Southern Uplands. The most disruptive conditions, however, will once again be focused on eastern and northeastern Scotland, where 5–10 cm of snow may accumulate above 200 metres, with some lying snow possible from around 100 metres. At lower levels, a mix of sleet and wet snow could occur for a time.
By the start of Wednesday, travel disruption across higher parts of eastern Scotland is possible. Further south, northern England returns mostly to rain at higher elevations, while parts of Northern Ireland experience spells of rain with pockets of snow over the Sperrin Mountains. North Wales sees precipitation easing by this stage, and southern areas start Wednesday dry but cold, with mist, fog patches, and widespread cloud.
Wednesday: turning milder in the south
Through Wednesday, a band of rain and hill snow moves northwards, but rising temperatures mean snow levels will lift across eastern Scotland. Southern areas especially will feel milder as the day goes on, with temperatures reaching 9–11°C. In contrast, northern and northeastern areas remain on the colder side, with highs only around 4–6°C.
READ MORE: Why has it been so rainy?
Brisk winds continue across much of the country, but parts of the south and southeast may see some welcome sunshine.
Thursday: uncertainty increases but colder air persists in the northeast
By Thursday, forecast confidence starts to reduce slightly as computer models diverge on the finer details. What is clear is that high pressure over Scandinavia remains a dominant influence, maintaining cold conditions in the northeast and keeping the broader pattern in place.
The most likely scenario indicates a drier and brighter day for southern and southwestern parts of the UK, as rain from the southwest is kept at bay. Eastern and northeastern areas are expected to see further rain and sleet showers, while northwestern regions, including western Scotland, experience brighter and mostly dry weather.
The combination of cold air and winds blowing in from the North Sea will keep temperatures feeling particularly chilly in the northeast.
Friday: low pressure returns with more showers and hill snow
Into Thursday night and Friday, low pressure to the southwest strengthens once again, feeding further showers and spells of rain across the region. Some heavier downpours may affect the southwest of England, with more showery conditions spreading into the east and northeast. As colder air filters back in, a mix of rain and sleet at lower levels is likely, along with hill snow.
Northern Ireland, western Scotland, northwest England, and north Wales should see the best of the dry and bright spells where they sit away from the more organised areas of precipitation.
READ MORE: Storm Chandra: How the storm unfolded and where the heaviest rain fell
Later on Friday and into the weekend, low‑pressure systems are expected to track slightly further south, moving into France. This allows even colder air to push southwards across the UK.
Weekend: colder again with potential for lower‑level snow in the northeast
The colder air arriving through the weekend increases the chance of snow at lower levels, especially across northeastern parts of the country. Hill snow is likely, but some temporary accumulations at lower elevations cannot be ruled out. Western and southern areas may see drier weather at times compared with recent weeks, although the overall pattern remains unsettled.
At present, there is no indication of a significant change to our broader weather pattern until at least next week. High pressure to the northeast and repeated Atlantic systems to the southwest continue to shape our weather, bringing a mixture of rain, hill snow, and chilly winds.
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