Issued: 0930hrs Monday 20th February 2017
Duty forecaster: Garry Nicholson

Temperatures varied from day to day

A changeable weather pattern will dominate during the week ahead, as several frontal systems move in from the Atlantic. Rain will be frequent, and there will be gales at times. Temperatures will drop compared to the very mild values seen earlier this week, and there may be snow on northern hills. It should be milder again for most places by the weekend.

For the weather for the next few days click here

Thursday 23/02/17
Low pressure passes quickly eastwards across the country, bringing a spell of wet and windy weather to all regions, possible gales for a time. Conditions should improve from the west, with brighter skies and a scattering of showers. Rain may remain frequent in the north. Risk of snow over higher ground in the north as colder follows into the back of the system. Winds easing through the day. Temperatures 6 to 10C.

Friday 24/02/17
Starting cool, but temperature will lift from the south-west through the day. A mixture of sunshine and showers. Rain may be locally frequent where showers band together, particularly northern areas. A cool west to north-westerly breeze, should ease through the day. Fronts moving in from the Atlantic may bring rain to Ireland later. Highs 5 to 8C in the north, 9 or 10C in the south.

Saturday 25/02/17
Detail uncertain, but fronts are likely to move in from the Atlantic, bringing rain to the west & north-west, perhaps turning heavy and persistent. Drier and brighter toward the south-east of Britain. A strengthening south-westerly wind, possible gales in the north-west. Mainly cloudy, but mild. Highs 8 to 12C, mildest in south-west, whilst northern Scotland may stay colder.

Sunday 26/02/17
Pressure may briefly build although timing uncertain. Saturday's rain should clear, resulting in a period of drier and brighter weather. However, fronts are likely to move back in from the Atlantic, bringing rain and increasing wind to the west before the end of the day. Highs 8 to 11C.

Monday 27/02/17
Looking generally unsettled with low pressure centred close to the north-west of Britain. Clusters of heavy showers spreading from the west, giving frequent rain for some. Brightest toward the north-east. Highs 6 to 11C.

Tuesday 28/02/17
Staying unsettled with low pressure in charge. Risk of areas of showers moving around slowly, giving locally heavy rain for many hours. Possible snow on hills in the north. Occasional sunshine. Fairly cool, between 5 and 10C.