Issued: 1000hrs Tuesday 19th December 2017
Duty forecaster: Garry Nicholson

Increasingly unsettled after Christmas

The rest of this week brings fairly quiet weather, with high pressure and rather stagnant December weather. Some murky areas with drizzly rain, and also patches of fog. Temperatures will dip briefly on Friday, then mild southwesterlies return over the weekend. Wet and windy weather is expected to affect most of the country through the Christmas period, with possible gales and local flooding.

For the weather for the next few days click here

Friday 22/12/17
Temperatures lower than midweek, but close to average overall. High pressure influences the British Isles, bringing quiet conditions overall. Largely dry, but a lot of cloud in the west, perhaps local drizzle near coasts. Some stubborn fog, especially in central, east and southern areas. A little weak sunshine. Light winds. A chilly start with local frost. Highs 5 to 10C, coolest where fog lingers.

Saturday 23/12/17
Pressure remains high toward the south. A west to southwesterly breeze is likely to freshen, especially across northern areas. Fronts move into western Scotland bringing some rain. Low cloud and drizzle near western coasts elsewhere. Most central and eastern places dry. Local fog in southern England. Best sun toward the east if high ground. Fairly mild, 8 to 12C, highest temperatures in the east.

Christmas Eve 24/12/17
Fronts move in from the Atlantic as pressure falls. A risk of heavy and prolonged rain moving into the north-west of Britain & Ireland. Central and south-eastern regions should stay dry, with a little weak sunshine in the east. Murky in the south-west, with patchy drizzle. Brisk southwesterly winds. Generally mild, 7 to 12C.
 

Christmas Day 25/12/17
A frontal system is expected to sweep eastwards, bringing a spell of heavy rain and gusty winds affecting most areas during the day. Mild in the south, but dropping cooler from the north-west. Chance of showers turning wintry over Scottish mountains later. Starting mild, up to 10 to 12C, but dropping colder into the evening.

Boxing Day 26/12/17
Another batch of wet and windy weather is expected to spread from the south-west as a deep area of low pressure approaches from the Atlantic. Risk of gales in the west. Temperatures fairly mild, 6C rising to 10C.

Wednesday 27/12/17
Broadly unsettled with low pressure in charge. Wet and windy. Heavy showery bursts in the west, perhaps wintry over Scottish mountains. Brighter toward the east. Highs 5 to 10C.