The week ahead brings a typically changeable January pattern, with low pressure systems repeatedly attempting to move in from the southwest, while a block of high pressure to the east prevents them from fully progressing across the UK.
This tug‑of‑war pattern will drive periods of rain, brisk winds, and some hill snow, with temperatures remaining close to average but often feeling colder in the wind. Here’s how the week is shaping up.
The broader weather pattern
Throughout the week, several low-pressure systems will approach from the southwest, but none will fully sweep across the UK. Instead, they will weaken or drift north as they encounter a sizeable high-pressure area positioned further east. This creates what meteorologists call a blocking high, where dense, cold air associated with the high pressure slows or stops the progression of low-pressure systems.
This setup leaves the UK under a repetitive pattern: low pressure trying to push in from the southwest while a persistent easterly block keeps steering weather fronts northward and preventing a full transition to more settled conditions. The result will be pulses of rain, gusty winds and occasional hill snow, particularly in the north and east.
Tuesday: wet and windy in the southwest
The first system edges in on Tuesday, bringing gusty winds and heavy rain to parts of Wales and southwest England. A Met Office yellow warning for rain is in place, with coastal gusts expected to reach 40–50 mph, and exposed headlands possibly seeing 60–65 mph.
A Yellow warning for strong winds comes into effect at 4am on Tuesday across parts of South West England and Wales ⚠️
— Met Office (@metoffice) January 19, 2026
South-easterly wind gusts of 60-65 mph may bring travel disruption and interruptions to power 🌬️ pic.twitter.com/Hee1Tx29GA
Rain will be heavy at times as it pushes into Wales, southwest England and briefly Northern Ireland. Elsewhere, Tuesday looks somewhat drier and brighter compared with Monday. Many areas will still see a good deal of cloud, but there should be fewer patches of mist and low cloud, with some breaks allowing sunshine through.
A brisk wind will develop widely, particularly noticeable along the coasts of northeast Scotland where strong onshore winds will remain a feature through the week.
Temperatures will sit around seasonal norms, generally 7–10°C, with perhaps 11°C in the mildest spots. However, in the southwest, the combination of steady rain and strong winds will make it feel much cooler.
Wednesday: rain building in northeastern Scotland
By Wednesday, the next low-pressure system is already approaching. Current forecasts are signalling another breezy day, while persistent onshore winds continue to affect northeast Scotland.
This part of the country becomes a particular focus midweek, with rain building up through Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. The combination of moist air being forced up over the terrain, lingering snow on the ground, and ongoing gusty winds means there is a continued risk of flooding. A Met Office yellow rain warning is in force here, with some hill snow also expected, potentially affecting higher routes.
Elsewhere, Wednesday will be another cloudy, unsettled day. Outbreaks of rain will spread northwards across much of the UK. The exact track of the rainbands remains uncertain, but many places can expect at least some wet weather. Temperatures remain close to average but will feel cooler given the lack of sunshine.
Thursday: colder air in the northeast and persistent rain
As Wednesday’s system weakens and drifts northwards, low pressure remains close to the southwest while the blocking high to the east holds firm. By Thursday, there'll be lighter winds across southern Britain. However, in the northeast, the flow continues to come off the North Sea, funnelling moisture inland and bringing further rain and hill snow, especially over the Grampians.
Temperatures will widely fall to 6–7°C in northern and eastern areas, feeling colder in the persistent wind. Double‑digit highs remain possible further south, where lighter winds may make conditions feel a touch more comfortable despite ongoing spells of rain.
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Rainfall totals and impacts
One of the main themes this week will be rainfall accumulation. Over northeastern Scotland, totals could reach 30–60 mm at lower levels, with hillier areas seeing 80–120 mm. Snowmelt will add further water to rivers and streams, heightening the risk of localised flooding.
But it’s not just Scotland. The full‑week rainfall chart shows notable accumulations in the southern uplands, parts of eastern Northern Ireland, and especially south Wales and southwest England, where repeated pulses of heavy rain are expected.
Friday: another system, more rain and brisk winds
Friday brings yet another area of low-pressure edging in. Should it deepen slightly, winds in southern and southwestern parts could increase again, with a spell of rain pushing northwards. Positions of the weather fronts may shift but expect further wet conditions across many regions. Hill snow is again likely in eastern Scotland, carried in by the persistent, chilly wind from the North Sea.
Temperatures dip by a degree or so compared with earlier in the week, marking a general trend towards something slightly colder as we move into the weekend.
Weekend outlook: colder trend into next week
The overarching pattern remains much the same, low-pressure milling near the southwest of the UK and a blocking high to the east. However, there may be an increasing chance of colder air filtering in through the weekend and into next week. This will be a key area to monitor, as subtle shifts in the pattern could bring sharper overnight frosts or more widespread wintry precipitation, particularly in the north and east.
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