Issued: 1000hrs Sunday 17th December 2017
Duty forecaster: Garry Nicholson

Slightly cooler toward Christmas, becoming unsettled

A mild week is expected, with temperatures climbing into double figures on some days. Fairly quiet weather overall. A lot of cloud, and occasional rain or drizzle, mostly in the west. Some murk or fog in central areas. Toward Christmas, westerly winds are expected, bringing changeable weather. Currently, any hope of a White Christmas looks to be confined to hills in the north.

For the weather for the next few days click here

Wednesday 20/12/17
Fronts trailing in from the Atlantic will run across Britain & Ireland, bringing outbreaks of rain or drizzle. Over hills in north-west England & Wales, it may turn into a very wet day. Cloudy for most places, but largely dry for the Midlands, south & south-east. Rain should clear from southern Scotland. Brighter skies developing across Scotland, a little sun east of the Highlands. Mild in the south, a little cooler north, highs 8 to 12C.

Thursday 21/12/17
A weakening front sinks southwards, bringing dull and damp conditions to central-southern Britain, but it should stay mild here. Rain may try and nudge back northwards across Wales later. Murkiest in the south-west. Brighter toward the north of Britain, but slightly cooler. A few showers will affect western Scotland, wintry over the mountains. Winds fairly light. Breezy in the far north. Highs 6 to 11C.

Friday 22/12/17
Staying fairly mild, although temperatures lower than midweek. A general weaterly flow, with high pressure centred south-west of Britain. Largely dry, but a lot of cloud, and some fog in the south. Patchy rain or drizzle, mostly in the west. Best of any weak sunshine in the east. Light winds south, breezy north. Highs 5 to 10C.
 

Saturday 23/12/17
Fronts moving in from the Atlantic bring a threat of rain to north-western Britain & Ireland, whilst the south & east should stay largely dry. Breezy in the north, perhaps windy. Highs 6 to 11C.

Christmas Eve 24/12/17
A cold front is expected to pass south-eastwards. A zone of rain moves across central-southern areas, heavy for a time. Showers follow in the north & north-west, turning wintry on hills. Slightly cooler, 5 to 10C.

Christmas Day 25/12/17
A cool westerly pattern is expected. Showery in the west & north, possibly snow over high ground. A few showers elsewhere, most likely rain. Driest toward the east & south. Breezy, or windy in the north. Highs 4 to 9C.