Issued: 1000hrs Sunday 19th August 2018
Duty forecaster: Garry Nicholson

Rain or drizzle, most frequent west & north

A moist tropical maritime air mass influences the British Isles early this week, resulting in extensive cloud cover and not much sun. Some rain or drizzle will affec the west and north. By about Thursday, fresher air will move across the country from the north-west, leaving a mix of sunshine and showers. A mixed weather pattern continues into the weekend.

For the weather for the next few days click here

Wednesday 22/08/18
A westerly pattern continues, with fronts edging south across the country. A band of rain is likely to move slowly south-eastwards across Scotland and Ireland. Patchy rain or drizzle for Wales plus northern England. Also grey and drizzly in the south-west. Dry with hazy sun for the Midlands and south-east. The far north of Scotland may brighten up with scattered showers. A light west to southwesterly breeze. Up to 28C in the south-east, 22 to 25C central England, 15 to 18C Scotland.

Thursday 23/08/18
Low pressure lies to the north of Scotland. A weakening cold front slips south across England, resulting in cloudy skies and some rain for the Midlands and southern counties, but should fade. Brighter skies and sunny spells developing for Wales and northern England, and the south-west should brighten up. Showery, cool and breezy for Scotland and Northern Ireland. Warmest in south-east England and feeling humid, 23 to 26C, but nearer 16 to 20C north & west.

Friday 24/08/18
A fresh westerly breeze is expected. Low pressure moves east toward Scandinavia. Sunshine and showers. Rain most frequent toward the north-west. Heavy and frequent showers possible across the Scottish Highlands. Mainly dry central and southern England, with just brief passing showers. Cooler for all, just 14 to 17C Scotland, Ireland and the north-west of England & Wales. Up to 19 to 22C Midlands and south.

Saturday 25/08/18
A westerly pattern continues, although precise detail is uncertain. Further occasional rain or showers, mostly in the north-west, where may result in frequent rain. Drier and brigher across southern England & Wales. Breezy, some sunshine. Warmest in the south, highs 16 to 23C.

Sunday 26/08/18
Little overall change, staying mixed with a general west to southwesterly pattern. Some rain for the north-west, a few showers elsewhere but mostly dry toward the south of Britain. Highs 17 to 23C.

Monday 27/08/18
Confidence low, but a continued mixed westerly regime is likely. Rain of showers toward the north-west. Drier and brighter in the south and east. Perhaps slightly warmer, highs 18 to 24C.