Issued: 0945 18 December 2016
Duty forecaster: John Ejdowski

low risk of frost

After a dry start, the weather becomes much more unsettled from the middle part of the week as Atlantic fronts spread outbreaks of rain in from the west. It also becomes much windier at times as deeper low pressure affects Britain to bring gales at times. Severe gales are possible on Christmas Day and it looks wet with heavy rain sweeping in to all areas.

For the weather for the next few days click here


Wednesday 21/12/16
Milder for England and Wales today. An area of rain moves south with much of the country to have a wet afternoon - dry for the south east and East Anglia. Heavy rain is likely in the evening and very windy in the south. Wintry showers affect the hills of northern Scotland as it turns colder. Expect high temperatures of 6 to 11C.

Thursday 22/12/16
Cooler as area of high pressure brings a dry, settled day with lots of sunshine for many. Windy in the north. Normal temperatures expected. Just a few wintry showers across northern Scotland. A dry, clear, cold frosty night for England and Wales with patches of ground fog in the south. Highs of 3 to 8C.
 

Friday 23/12/16
Expect a dry morning with lots of sunshine for England and Wales. A cloudier, windier afternoon as rain reaches western parts of Britain. Gales to affect Scotland with gusts to 70 mph in the north of Scotland. Cold with below average temperatures. Wet and windy for most areas in the evening and night. Highs of 4 to 9C.
 

Christmas Eve 24/12/16
Windy but milder for England and Wales, colder across Scotland. Outbreaks of rain across much of the country. This will be heavy and as it clears northern Scotland and Northern Ireland it may briefly change to snow over the hills. Snow showers to affect northern Scotland tonight, becoming dry and colder for most other areas. Highs of 5 to 11C.
 

Christmas Day 25/12/16
At this stage it may be mild but it could be quite a stormy day with widespread gales across Britain. Potentially damaging gusts to 80 mph are possible around exposed western coasts of over the hills of the north and west. Confidence is low on the detail at present. Another area of moderate to heavy rain may also sweep in across Britain with some snow over the Highlands. Dry and cold overnight but scattered snow showers may affect the northern hills. Highs of 8 to 10C.

Boxing Day 26/12/16
A colder day and windy. After any residual rain in the south east soon clears, most central and eastern areas should be dry and bright with sunny spells. More cloud in the west with blustery showers, these wintry over the high ground of Scotland, northern England and Wales. Expect highs of 4 to 7C.