Weather Forecast For Reading & Berkshire

More rain at times, but some sunny spells in between and a trend towards something drier – if broadly pretty cold until next weekend.

Thanks to Isabel for the photograph.

So the pattern has finally changed though it might not especially feel like it at times, notably today. The jetstream has pushed north towards the UK, the Azores high is pushing into Spain/Portugal – the high pressure block to the north-east towards Russia has dissipated. This all means that, sure, it remains unsettled this week but systems can actually clear through, and hence there will be sunny spells when it isn’t raining – instead of those incessantly cloudy skies.

Today will be cloudy with rain until around early afternoon – likely pretty heavy at times, especially mid/late morning. Some sunny spells possibly before sunset, though showers will remain possible. Quite windy at times this morning but the wind will fade. Variable cloud with some clear spells overnight, one or two passing showers in the breeze, down to around 4’C.

Monday sees quite a bit of cloud around, plenty of showers, some heavy – but there will be sunny spells at times too. Quite windy and feeling pretty chilly, around 8’C. Reasonably clear skies overnight, probably too breezy for a frost but a close call – down to around 1’C.

Tuesday sees a ridge of high pressure so a reasonably sunny day, some cloud floating around – a small chance of a light shower, and then generally becoming hazier later in the day as a weather system approaches. Chilly, around 7’C. Cloud thickens somewhat overnight and a fairly cold night – down to around 0’C, perhaps frosty.

Some uncertainty for Wednesday as weather fronts will be trying to progress but without much success. More likely it is fairly cloudy, fairly windy – some bright spells possible, some light rain possible also – and pretty cold at around 4’C. Perhaps instead weather fronts do make more progress and we get something more in the way of rain during the day. Also…a wintry surprise would not be impossible if weather fronts do make more progress. Uncertain overnight – roughly 50/50 between dry and cold, or some mix of rain/sleet/snow.

Thursday also quite uncertain though more likely it’s fairly cloudy, some hazy sunshine and on the dry side of things. Also likely pretty chilly – around 6’C. Frost possible overnight.

By Friday it looks like the Azores High might start pushing towards us, though the jetstream pretty active to our north.

More likely we are looking at something rather cloudy again, perhaps some light rain around, quite windy but also milder feeling – say around 9’C.

Next weekend is probably notably milder, say around 12’C or so, more likely often cloudy, some occasional rain but nothing too much, and perhaps some sunny spells.

The more likely outcome for the week after is a dry and mild start (perhaps even a little pre-spring “faux warmth”) – but becoming somewhat more unsettled once more in the second half of the week.

There are growing signals for March being drier than normal, though still with some short unsettled spells. A fairly recent signal so we’ll see if it remains in a week, and then maybe we can be more confident on it.…

Yep – more rain, but I can also offer you a sunny day, some colder weather at times and an outside chance of some wintriness. Things are changing…

Thanks to Fiona for the photograph – had a fair few cloudy/rainy photographs sent to me and I suspect I’ll get chance to use many of them!

That said the overall pattern is finally about to change – the jetstream has been going through the Mediterranean in recent weeks giving Spain, etc a soaking – and it is now, erm, heading further north towards the UK, from Saturday onwards. But also the high pressure block over north-east Europe/Russia is relenting, so low pressure systems will move through, instead of constantly being sat to our west – ie, there will be sunshine in between spells of rain, sometimes.

A bright start to Thursday, a few breaks in the cloud but it will be a mostly cloudy day with showery rain from roughly mid-morning onwards. Around 10’C. Quite cloudy overnight with a few showers, though a few clear spells too – down to around 4’C.

Friday starts to see cold air moving south. Again a mostly cloudy day, some bright spells possible in the morning, some bits of showery rain at times – more likely in the afternoon. Around 8’C, though an easterly breeze will pick up and it will start to feel colder later in the day. The evening will be cloudy with an increasingly cold feel, some bits of rain still possible (an outside chance of a bit of a wintry mix but it should just be rain) – clear spells in the second half of the night, with a frost forming – down to around -1’C, give or take.

Saturday is your sunny day. Some bits of cloud around, and high cloud will spread across from the west in the afternoon – but otherwise a pleasant if quite cold day at around 6’C. Breezy in the morning, and it will feel cold then. A band of rain will arrive around midnight, a chance of it starting as sleet or snow, or turning to sleet/snow for a short while – though if it does, it will turn back to rain fairly swiftly. Down to around 3’C and quite windy too.

Sunday morning sees outbreaks of rain – sunny spells and heavy showers will follow for the afternoon. Around 8’C and quite windy in the morning, still breezy later. Clear spells overnight, though a shower will be possible in the breeze. Down to around 3’C.

By Monday we are back in our usual westerly flow, with low pressure systems further north than they have been.

Monday looks like a mixture of sunny spells, variable cloud and some showers – around 8’C and breezy. Uncertain overnight – perhaps a frost.

Details becoming more uncertain from here, though Tuesday more likely is a bright day with some hazy sunshine – rain arriving later.

That’s the end of day-to-day details – quite a bit of uncertainty for the second half of next week, some colder air likely around, a mixture of cold dry/sunny days and days with some rain – an outside chance of some sleet/snow mixed in, perhaps some overnight frosts.

So more rain for sure, but also some sunshine. We’ve got through the darkest part of the year, we are past the average coldest part of the year, and the weather pattern bringing all the cloud and rain is being replaced by one with more rain, but also some sunshine at times. I’m taking the positives!

For the last week of February much higher uncertainty than usual, the chance of colder northerly spells with possible sleet/snow is higher than normal, but also the chance of southerly winds with some “faux warmth” is higher than normal – so there could be quite a mixture of conditions – perhaps even a notable storm mixed in too. Though out of that mix I’d suggest colder conditions are more likely.

Have a good end of week – next forecast should be on Sunday morning.…

Yep, plenty more rain to come, though we might squeeze 1/2 colder and drier days at the end of the week.

Thanks to Karen for the photograph.

So the overall picture is the same has it has been for the last few weeks – high pressure blocks to the north-east over Scandinavia/Russia, with the jetstream being forced much further south through the Mediterranean, and large complex low pressure systems dominating especially in western Europe, including the UK.

However, this should change next weekend, and the jetstream will likely track further north towards the UK…which means the rain will be more persistent and strong winds more likely! But…baby steps towards a pattern change.

Today won’t be too bad, quite a lot of cloud, some brightness and some occasional showery bits of rain – more likely later this afternoon and into the evening. Around 10’C. More in the way of showery rain this evening, some showers still possible overnight – down to around 6’C.

Monday again not too bad – quite a lot of cloud around but more scope for some bright/sunny spells than of late, still the odd shower around too. Around 10’C. Further rain arriving around late afternoon/early evening for a fair few hours – gradually fragmenting late evening and overnight. Down to around 8’C and breezy.

Tuesday will be mostly cloudy, some splashes of rain/drizzle at times – more organised rain arriving around early/mid afternoon. Around 11’C and quite breezy at times. Further showery rain in the evening, and showers still possible overnight – down to around 8’C.

Wednesday looks mostly cloudy with occasional bits of showery rain/drizzle – though nothing especially notable likely. Perhaps a bit of brightness at times. Mild and breezy, around 12’C. Rain possible in the evening/overnight though the track is uncertain – more likely further south towards France.

By Thursday we are just starting to see some changes in the pattern – high pressure just nudging into the south of Spain, low pressure finally managing to push across the UK into Europe.

Details a bit more sketchy by this stage due to uncertainty on low pressure track, but broadly quite a bit of cloud around but some sunny spells – and some showers. Around 10’C, give or take. Colder air spreads south overnight – uncertain on details, perhaps skies clearing to give a frost (when was the last one?!), though also a chance instead of some more cloud rain…very small chance of a wintry mix.

The more likely outcome for Friday is that we are in a colder northerly flow, which would mean more in the way of sunshine, outside chance of a wintry shower and temperatures roughly around 4’C. Not a guaranteed outcome yet…but the more likely. Assuming so then likely frosty overnight.

Again assuming Friday happened as above, then Saturday would be similar, sunny spells, some cloud, perhaps a light shower and chilly – around 5’C.

Milder, wetter and windier weather then likely to arrive by Sunday (maybe Saturday night).

And yes, the week after is probably unsettled – with greater chances of heavy rain and strong winds than of late.

Perhaps less rain towards the end of February and beginning of March, though more a reversion to average amounts and some dry days – as opposed to any long dry spells.

I previously mentioned the chance of a sudden stratospheric warming event – this now looks off the cards, and just some minor warming event – unlikely to have any impact on our weather down here, and may just be the stratospheric polar vortex slowly winding down post-winter.

I’m still expecting a broadly meh spring – temperatures average at best, notably cool at times, somewhat showery, somewhat cloudy. But of course there will be some nicer/warmer weather mixed in somewhere…and it is a long time away meteorologically, things can change.

Have a good Sunday.

…

Well I hope you enjoyed your allotted one day of sunshine for the month. I jest, there is a bit more sunshine in the forecast, but there’s plenty more showery rain too.

Thanks to Jessica for the perfect photograph for our current weather.

The general set-up is much as it has been for a couple of weeks now, high pressure blocks over much of Scandinavia and Russia, forcing the jetstream south across the Mediterranean, bringing some really wet weather to Spain/Portugal (again).

The main low pressure trough actually stretches from southern Greenland to north Africa, and across much of Europe – it’s pretty humungous, with various smaller systems and weather fronts affecting different areas at different times. Including the UK.

Thursday will be a mostly cloudy day. Outbreaks of showery rain in the morning, tending to fade towards lunchtime though the odd bit of rain still possible. Perhaps a little bit of brightness at times in the afternoon before further showery rain arrives by later afternoon. Breezy and around 9’C. Further rain in the evening and overnight – not raining all the time, but most of the time. Around 8’C.

Friday again is a mostly cloudy day with some showery rain at times – likely less than on Thursday. Lunchtime to mid-afternoon probably the focus for the more persistent and heavier rain, and perhaps brighter by dusk. A bit milder, around 10’C and a fairly light breeze. Some cloud, some clear spells overnight – one or two showers probable too. Around 6’C.

Saturday will see further spells of showery rain, heavy at times – but also some bright, sunny spells are probable too. Cannot yet put details on the timing of when showery rain is more likely. Around 10’C. Probably dry overnight with some clear spells – down to around 4’C, give or take, a chance of fog forming by dawn.

Subtle changes to the pattern by Sunday as we start to see the Azores High nudge into southern Spain – no effect on our weather on the ground, but if you have a half-term holiday booked in southern Spain/Portugal, then you might be pleased!

For us, well the jetstream should eventually then head north…towards the UK. That’s still a little way away yet though.

Our weather for Sunday…comparatively reasonable, once any early morning fog lifts then sunny spells, variable amounts of cloud, though probably at least a couple of showers at some point too, perhaps heavy. Around 11’C so quite mild – it is on average the coldest point of the year. Mostly cloudy overnight, some showers possible – around 6’C.

Details for Monday a bit more uncertain – anything particularly wet is unlikely, though some showers or showery rain at some point, more likely later in the day, is very possible. And fairly cloudy – around 10’C.

Further bands of rain then likely from Monday night onwards through to Wednesday/Thursday – impossible to put any timing on them at this stage.

More likely next weekend sees further wind and rain, though there remains a smallish chance of something drier/colder – but it would only be a short spell anyway.

Most likely the remainder of February will remain changeable at best, with further wind/rain on a fairly regular basis, though also probably trending milder than normal too.

Oh well. Spring is on the way…but still a fair way away.…

All pretty unremarkable weather, lots of cloud, some rain, some sunshine – roughly normal temperatures but occasionally a bit colder.

Thanks to Christel for the photograph.

The general set-up remains much the same, a large block of high pressure over much of eastern Europe and Russia – which means the jetstream has to go further south through the Mediterranean, and most of the rain hence is towards Spain/Portugal, etc – though we remain on the northern edge of large and complex low pressure systems.

This pattern is going to take some shifting.

Daytime maximum temperatures where the high pressure block is today would be -5’C for Berlin or -15’C for Kyiv. And some high rainfall totals expected across Mediterranean countries – especially western Portugal. Not exactly dry here, but all very ordinary.

Sunday will be cloudy with outbreaks of often light/moderate rain at first, though becoming more persistent and somewhat heavier later in the afternoon/early evening. Around 8’C. The rain gradually clearing east this evening, remaining cloudy with the odd light shower still around overnight – down to around 5’C.

Monday will be mostly cloudy. Some bits of light showery rain possible at times, some brightness also possible – the latter more likely later in the afternoon. Around 8’C, a bit breezier. Cloudy overnight with showery rain arriving by late evening and continuing overnight – around 5’C and breezy.

Tuesday will be cloudy with rain on and off all day. Tending to be light/moderate earlier in the day and more patchy – suggestions that it will be somewhat heavier and more persistent as the afternoon goes on. Picking up a south-easterly wind so feeling a bit colder, around 6’C. The rain gradually moves north overnight, though continues for a fair while – some clear spells possible before dawn. Around 6’C.

Wednesday should be a reasonable day, some cloud around but also some spells of sunshine, and milder in a southerly breeze – around 10’C or so. Some clear spells, some cloud overnight – down to around 4’C, give or take.

By Thursday we see the next large low pressure system heading towards us.

Details a bit sketchier by this point, but more likely dry or mostly dry, more likely on the cloudier side of things, and roughly around 8’C – breezy too. Perhaps some rain overnight.

Friday probably sees some rain around at times, perhaps somewhat colder again though some uncertainty over where the boundary between colder and milder air will be.

Next weekend likely sees rain at some points but also there will be some dry spells too – probably nothing too wet, but low confidence. Most likely a little milder than average, say 10’C – but there is a small chance of it being colder, say around 5’C.

Perhaps something colder and drier the week after – overnight frosts possible and perhaps wintry showery, though low confidence on this.

Higher confidence on it being broadly wetter, windier and milder than normal for the second half of February…assuming no game-changing event such as a sudden stratospheric warming event.

That said, a sudden stratospheric warming event does look more likely than not for mid-February. Too early to know what impact it could have on our weather down here in the troposphere…but impacts would be possible by late February/early March.

Have a pleasant Sunday.…

Ahhh the last forecast of the longest ever month, January – and it’s a mixture of cloud, a bit of sunshine, some rain – all a bit “whatever”.

Thanks to Isabel for the photograph – don’t expect this much sunshine any time soon though!

The pattern is much the same as it has been, low pressure systems getting blocked over the UK by the cold block of high pressure towards Russia/Siberia – with the jetstream going through the Mediterranean, along with the bulk of the rain.

Thursday starts on the chilly side, with mist/fog patches in places, some low cloud around – but also some bright spells too. Generally it will become mostly cloudy, some occasional bright spells, a light shower possible too. Around 7’C which is more or less average for the time of year. Showery rain arriving early to mid evening, and continuing on and off until around dawn, give or take. Around 6’C.

Any patchy rain will clear fairly quickly on Friday morning, some hazy sunshine for a time once the overnight weather front clears during the morning, though a shower will remain possible. A further band of rain arrives mid-afternoon (ish) with another 2-3 hours of rain, perhaps heavy. Milder, around 10’C and breezy. Further showery rain possible in the evening, though trending drier as the night goes on – some clear spells possible by dawn. Around 5’C.

For Saturday we have this decaying low pressure over us – blocked by the high pressure block to the east, which will be nudging closer by this point, thought the deep cold not really getting further west of Poland. Generally a lot of cloud for us, some sunny spells possible, some showery bits of rain probable – details sketchy, though showery rain more likely later in the day. Around 9’C. Generally cloudy with some showery rain overnight – though perhaps drier and foggy towards dawn. Down to around 3’C.

Again details a bit sketchy for Sunday, but still likely a lot of cloud around, some bright/sunny spells possible, some showers possible – though showers more hit and miss. Around 8’C.

By Monday the next low pressure system will be trying to push in, though will get squeezed further south.

Again details are uncertain but probably rain pushing north is the theme, more likely later in the day. A small chance it doesn’t actually get this far north in the first place, but 90% likely it does. Around 8’C and becoming quite windy.

Probably still some showery rain around on Tuesday – though very uncertain.

I think the trend will be for low pressure systems to not extend so far north next week (at the moment we have these huge complex multi-low systems, stretching from Spain to Iceland), so more focused down towards Spain/Portugal – so generally less rain, often cloudy, temperatures around average or a little above. Probably.

Perhaps something colder from the east for next weekend, or the week after – unless the jetstream fires up notably again, like it did this week – assumedly thanks to the plunge of deep cold into North America.…

A fairly unsettled week ahead with rain and wind at times.

Thanks to Kate for the photograph – alas I have no rain/cloud photographs to match the forecast, but at least this has flooded fields.

So starting with the general overview and we have the expected scenario of low pressure systems coming up against the high pressure block over Siberia which is pushing west into Europe.

However, the jetstream has more power than previously expected, assumedly fuelled by the plunge of cold air into North America and hence the pattern is a bit further north and east than expected – so low pressure systems not getting much further east than the UK, but enough to mostly keep the cold out…mostly. Certainly not mild either.

Sunday sees this decaying low pressure around – partly the energy is going south-east into Europe, partly it is re-curving back into the Atlantic. Generally cloudy, some occasional rain – should be light/moderate and breezy. Around 8’C. Remaining mostly cloudy in the evening and overnight, any remaining light patchy rain in the evening will fade. Down to around 5’C.

Monday will be mostly cloudy – a bit of brightness at times, a little bit of light rain possible at other times. Around 8’C and breezy. Rain arriving early evening, some heavy bursts likely overnight. Down to around 6’C and becoming windy too.

Tuesday starts cloudy with outbreaks of rain, likely heavy at times. Some uncertainty, but more likely it clears around lunchtime with sunny spells following, and perhaps a heavy shower or two. Around 10’C – windy at times too, more so in the morning, and perhaps again later in the day. Some clear spells probable overnight – showers will remain possible, and down to around 3’C.

By Wednesday we see low pressure dominant close to our west, but still the various systems cannot get past the UK.

Wednesday itself looks a reasonable day – weather fronts stuck to our west so it should be sunny for a good portion of the day, some cloud around. Around 8’C. Showery rain probably crosses overnight.

Another band of rain probably spreads across on Thursday, timing uncertain though afternoon would be a reasonable guide. Around 9’C.

Low pressure still around Friday/Saturday so often cloudy, further showers likely at times and temperatures roughly around 8’C to 10’C. All very January vibes.

The more likely outcome is this pattern of low pressure systems close to the UK, but not able to progress further due to the block further east, continues for a while. Certainly possible the cold weather block could push further west and bring something colder/drier into February, but it does seem like the Atlantic has way too much energy now.

Rumblings of a possible sudden stratospheric warming event for early/mid-February, though any possible wintry outbreak from that would likely not arrive until late February/early March. Not something to expect yet, but something to watch as a possibility.

Assuming no sudden stratospheric warming event, then I’d expect February to continue broadly in the current unsettled theme, though some drier and colder weather at times mixed in.

March probably sees the jetstream move further north (again assuming no SSW event) – though bear in mind it is currently over the Mediterranean, and Spain/Portugal/France are actually getting the brunt of the unsettled weather at the moment and likely they will in February too. So that means that low pressure systems will often be over the UK in March, though also I’d expect to see some milder and more pleasant spring weather at times.

Expectations remain more muted for April/May – wetter and cooler patterns are currently more likely, but there’s a very long way to go until then. Currently wondering how many holidays I can fit into those months!

Have a good Sunday.…

More rain on the way, and probably colder next week.

Thanks to Lucinda for the photograph…a rain photograph, which makes me happy that I have something that matches the forecast!

So the general overview sees low pressure close to the south-west of the UK, struggling to get much further than the UK and hence being squeezed further south than normal, due to the blocking high over much of Europe and Scandinavia.

Tonight sees showery outbreaks of rain, some heavy, some light – was quite soaked getting back from work in London this evening. No lower than around 9’C and breezy.

Thursday (my birthday!) starts cloudy with showery rain. Some limited brightness from mid-morning onwards but plenty of showers, some heavy will also continue through the day. Around 10’C and breezy. Reasonably clear skies for a time overnight, clouding over later – a shower possible. Down to around 5’C.

Friday morning sees the next band of rain move up from the south, mostly light/moderate rain. Some sunny spells possible for a time in the afternoon, though further showers will remain very possible. Around 9’C and becoming windy later. The low pressure system actually turns back into the Atlantic overnight – but it will still remain mostly cloudy, some occasional showery rain – and down to around 5’C.

By Saturday low pressure should have moved sufficiently west to keep most of the rain away from us – and it should be an…ok day. Some reasonably spells of sunshine, variable amounts of cloud, breezy – perhaps a shower or two, more likely earlier in the day. Around 9’C. A bit of uncertainty as low pressure systems tend not to curve back into the Atlantic, so don’t be shocked if it is somewhat cloudier with some rain instead. Some showers probable overnight, low confidence – around 5’C.

More likely, Sunday is again a cloudier day with some showery rain at times, and around 9’C.

By Monday we start to see colder air filtering back west, but further low pressure systems trying to push in from the west.

Details from here are pretty impossible though. If the cold air gets far enough west during Sunday night into Monday, then the next weather front could be a rain/snow mixture on Tuesday.

However, it might not get far across at all – in which case it will definitely be rain, and might arrive on Monday.

Really is a 50/50 chance. Certainly the chances of a cold spell next week are significantly reduced from when I previously wrote on Sunday…I assume due to the jetstream being fired up over the US due to their cold plunge, though I’ve been too busy this week to really look into anything outside our corner of the globe.

Broadly speaking next week is finely balanced between being somewhat colder than normal, with rain at times and possible sleet/snow mixed in, or somewhat milder, again with rain at times.

A bit rushed this forecast…I’ll have time properly on Sunday morning to update.…

Everything’s pretty ordinary on the ground for the week ahead, average temperatures, lots of cloud, a bit of sunshine and some rain. Something colder to follow remains a possibility.

Thanks to Helena, and Gladys for the photograph. Alas, I cannot quite promise this level of sunshine.

So the general overview sees low pressure systems in the Atlantic not being able to progress that far due to the high pressure block over Europe. We are stuck in the middle.

Low pressure is over Spain/Portugal too, and as low pressure to our west gets closer later in the week, it probably we end up taking a more southerly directly due to the high pressure block.

Today has started cloudy, misty – there’s some bits of rain around too. Generally this is the way it will remain, often cloudy, occasional bits of rain – but there should be some bright/sunny spells at times, more so mid/late morning and early afternoon. Fairly mild, around 10’C. Mostly cloudy overnight, some mist/fog patches possible, perhaps a spot of rain at times – but the weather fronts will remain stuck to our west. Around 7’C.

Monday again will be mostly cloudy, some bits and pieces of mostly light rain though often dry. Some bright/sunny spells at times too. Around 10’C, maybe even 11’C. Similar overnight, often cloudy, occasional splashes of rain, around 7’C.

More hope for some sunshine on Tuesday, there will still be a fair amount of cloud at times, and some showery bits of rain will remain very possible. Around 9’C, maybe 10’C, becoming breezier. Showery rain may develop by late afternoon – some uncertainty on this. Showery rain probable in the evening and overnight, around 6’C.

Details a little sketchy for Wednesday, low pressure will be much closer – overnight weather fronts will probably bring some rain at times on Wednesday, more likely in the morning and evening, perhaps some brightness in between. Feeling a tad cooler, around 8’C and breezy. Rain probable in the evening/overnight.

By Thursday those low pressure systems are queueing up, but cannot make much progress due to the huge high pressure block stretching from Siberia – and edging closer to the UK, with associated very cold air.

So the hemispheric view is really interesting, but down on the ground for us, little difference. Thursday is probably a showery day, lots of cloud, a bit of sunshine – showers probably heavy/very heavy – maybe even a rumble of thunder. Around 9’C, and breezy. Showers possible overnight too.

Into Friday, further rain and/or showers are likely – temperatures roughly around 8’C or so.

Next weekend is fairly uncertain, but the more likely outcome is that the low pressure systems start to give up trying to cross the UK, and sink south – allowing a more easterly (ish) flow to set up.

So showers possible still on Saturday, temperatures a tad colder but nothing unusual.

Sunday more likely on the dry side, but perhaps quite cold by this point.

The more likely outcome for the week after would see colder than normal weather, probably fairly dry though wintry showers possible – overnight frost/fog very possible. Not certain that it will go cold, but the more likely outcome by a fair distance. I’d probably say 70/30 cold vs mild in terms of probabilities.

And there remains the small possibility of something notably cold/snowy.

Have a fun Sunday. Not sure when the next forecast will be as Wednesday is office day and Thursday I’m going to Barcelona for the day and that involves a 7am flight…but I will find the time at some point, as it is quite interesting hemispherically right now…even if it might just seem ordinary on the ground here.…

A wet day today, though after that it should be fairly middling, some cloud, some showers, some sunshine. Perhaps more interesting later next week as the high pressure block to our east edges west…

Thanks to Tracy for the photograph.

So the general set-up sees low pressure to the west heading our way, though high pressure over Siberia is going to head west, which will mean that the main low pressure sits over the UK during the weekend, and gradually fades, as it cannot move east.

Today starts cloudy. Outbreaks of often heavy rain will arrive any time from around 8/9am onwards, and will continue until mid-evening. A fair soaking ahead. Around 9’C, winds becoming quite gusty in the afternoon too. Skies gradually clearing somewhat once the rain clears mid, maybe late evening, some mist/fog possible in places – but one or two showers again possible before dawn. Down to around 3’C.

Friday will be brighter to an extent – still a fair amount of cloud around but there will be bright/sunny spells at times, more so in the afternoon. Showers possible, more so both first thing in the morning but possible any time of the day – they will be hit and miss, so an equal chance of staying dry as to catching one/two. Around 9’C and breezy. Fairly cloudy in the evening and overnight, and more in the way of showers around. 7’C or so.

By Saturday the low pressure is fading quickly – quite a lot of cloud around and some showery bits, but a fairly nothing day really, weather-wise. Around 9’C. Generally mostly cloudy overnight – there is a chance of some showery rain moving up from France, but low likelihood – say 20% chance.

Some uncertainty on details for Sunday, though the most likely outcome is a mostly cloudy day with some outbreaks of showery rain developing at some point. But it is quite finely balanced, and a cloudy but dry, or even a fairly sunny day is possible. Around 8’C.

By Monday we are kind of in battle ground scenario, with low pressure systems coming up against the high pressure block to our east, and the UK is roughly where the no entry sign is.

Again details from here are fairly uncertain, and will depend on where weather fronts stall.

For both Monday and Tuesday, the main weather fronts should remain to our west – but likely some showers/showery rain develops ahead of them at times, so generally the more likely outcome is fairly cloudy, occasionally bright/sunny, some showers/showery rain at times – but often dry.

Still around 9’C or so.

Highly uncertain for the rest of next week – maybe low pressure systems make more progress and we get some more rain for a time – but also maybe the high pressure block extends this far west, and we get drier and somewhat colder weather instead, with overnight frosts becoming possible once more, depending on cloud amounts.

There’s a reasonable chance that the week after (w/c 26th January) sees more of an easterly flow, with a return to below-average temperatures, and a chance of wintry showers depending on the exact set-up.

A very long way away, in meteorological terms, but there are fairly strong signals towards this considering it is 12+ days away.

I wouldn’t even rule out a Beast From The East type scenario. It’s within the range of plausible outcomes.

Have a jolly end to the week, I shall be back on Sunday morning, all being well.…