Weather and climate change

Headline:

Wet and windy Wednesday

This Evening and Tonight:

Showers mostly dying out leaving clear spells for a time and perhaps the odd spot of frost in the far north. Heavy rain and gales developing in western parts later on.

Wednesday:

Rain in the west, heavy at times, moving eastwards. Brighter weather with showers following to western parts. Windy, with gales in the west, severe along coasts at first.

Outlook for Thursday to Saturday:

Mainly dry Thursday, before further spells of locally heavy rain push across all areas through Friday, clearing early Saturday. Mild or very mild. Showers and brisk winds follow; becoming colder.

Updated: 16:00 (UTC) on Tue 15 Dec 2020

There is the potential for outbreaks of heavy rain in the south at the beginning of this period. Otherwise, a ridge of high pressure is expected to build to the west of the UK with many southern and western parts becoming predominantly dry and settled. The greatest chance of showers is in the north and perhaps in the east. There is a potential for strong winds in the far south at first; at other times any strong winds are likely to be confined to the north and perhaps the east. Prevalence of overnight fog and frost is likely increasing, with fog potentially slow to clear during the daytime. Temperatures either close to or slightly below normal.

Updated: 16:00 (UTC) on Tue 15 Dec 2020

High pressure will probably be remaining the dominant pattern for the UK over the last days of December. This means a good deal of dry weather for many parts but with overnight frost and fog, with fog potentially slow to clear. Some periods of wetter weather may develop at times, most likely in the east. Into January confidence is low, although a change to more unsettled conditions with Atlantic systems moving in from the west is looking likely to occur during the first half of January.

Updated: 16:00 (UTC) on Tue 15 Dec 2020