Issued: 0800 Monday 19th December 2016
Duty forecaster: Simon Keeling

Turning stormy later in the week

A change in the weather through this week as the quiet conditions of the next day or so morph into stormier weather by the Christmas holidays. There is the potential for some severe storms on Friday and again late on Christmas Eve into Christmas Day. Winds may gusts over 70mph and this will be strong enough to cause some disruption. Potential for snow is confined to the highest ground of Scotland, although there could be a little over the tops of the Pennines and Welsh Mountains too.

For the weather for the next few days click here


Thursday 22/12/16
A shallow area of low pressire crosses England and Wales overnight into Thursday bringing some heavy rain and stronger winds with it. This should clear east during the day with brighter weather then following. Sunny spells and showers in northern and western Scotland as well as the north and west of Ireland. Drier elsewhere with sunny spells and feeling cool at 4 to 9C.

Friday 23/12/16
A deep area of low pressure to the west of Scotland is going to be pushing heavy rain and severe gale force winds eastwards. This brings a wet and windy day to Ireland and western parts of the UK, although East Anglia and the southeast probably stay dry until evening albeit with increasing winds. Heavy rain in the north and west could bring some localised flooding and winds may gust above 70mph causing some minor damage in Scotland, Ireland and northern England. Travel disruption is possible. Highs at 7C in eastern England and Scotland, 12C in Ireland.

Christmas Eve
Low pressure clears to the north of Scotland on Christmas Eve taking severe gales with it. A lull in the weather then brings showers to Scotland with the risk of snow on high ground. Rain clears southeast England to be followed by sunny spells and just an odd shower to the west. However, the next storm system is then on its way and gales return laster together with heavy rain in the west. Highs at a cool 4 to 8C.

Christmas Day
A stormy Christmas Day is expected with widespread severe gales. Gusts of over 70mph especially in the north and west which could bring some minor damage. Rain, some of it heavy, passes east during the day bringing the risk of localised flooding. More showery and cooler weather then follows from the west, falling as snow on the hills of Scotland. Temperatures at 4 to 10C but turning cooler later.

Boxing Day
The area of low pressure clears east for Boxing Day leaving things cool and with a mix of sunshine and showers and lees windy. Most of the showers in the north and west with some snow on the hills here. Drier to the south and east. Cooler for all at 3 to 7C.

Tuesday 27/12/16
Hints of pressure slowly building over the south of the country through Tuesday with low pressure to the north. This brings cloud and outbreaks of rain with it, but the high to the south should keep things drier here. Highs at 4 to 8C.