Issued: 1000hrs Friday 24th November 2017
Duty forecaster: Garry Nicholson

Biting winds; hard frosts later in the week

A chilly weekend lies ahead, with heavy wintry showers in the north & west. Wet and windy weather on Monday brings briefly milder air in from the west. A very cold end to November is then expected with bitterly cold northerly winds. Clusters of snow and hail showers will affect coastal districts in the east, west and north, and snow may extend further inland later in the week.

For the weather for the next few days click here

Monday 27/11/17
An Atlantic frontal system will sweep quickly eastwards across Britain, bringing a spell of heavy rain to most places, probably reaching the south-east in the afternoon. Blustery winds, risk of gales around exposed coasts and hills. Clusters of showers that follow will turn increasingly wintry over northern hills, perhaps later to lower levels in Scotland as colder air returns. Briefly milder in the south, highs 10 or 11C, but nearer 5 to 7C in the north.

Tuesday 28/11/17
Low pressure located over the North Sea pushes cold air back across the country from the north. Clusters of snow showers will affect northern Scotland, and bands of showers will move south to affect eastern England, plus Northern Ireland, Wales and possible the south-west - a mix of rain, hail and snow. Central regions should escape largely dry and bright. Temperatures struggling at 3 to 5C, perhaps 7C far south, but feeling colder in the wind.

Wednesday 29/11/17
An Arctic air mass will encompass the country by midweek. Northerly winds will produce bands of showers draped around coasts in the west, north & east, resulting in frequent sleet, snow and hail, with scope for significant accumulations over the Cairngorms, North York Moors and perhaps Snowdonia. Central & southern regions should stay dry with bright sunshine. Highs 2 to 6C, feeling sub-zero.

Thursday 30/11/17
A risk of winds turning north-easterly, allowing showers to penetrate further inland from North Sea coasts, bringing a risk of snow for East Anglia, the East Midlands. Snow will easily accumulate over higher ground in north-eastern Britain, but may well stick at lower levels too. Drier and brighter toward the west, with plenty of sunshine. Bitter winds. Highs 2 to 5C.

Friday 01/12/17
Staying cold, with winds from the north or north-east. Further snow showers are likely to affect eastern districts, perhaps spreading inland. Dry and sunny west, with hard frost overnight as winds may drop light. Highs 2 to 5C.

Saturday 02/12/17
Most likely cold and frosty into the weekend. A few areas of snow showers, mainly toward the east. Temperatures 2 to 6C, highest toward the south-west.