Issued: 0530hrs Saturday 15th December 2018
Duty forecaster: Claire Darbinyan

Parts of the British Isles will have their first taste of a winter storm today as widespread snow is expected for Scotland and northern England. Elsewhere it will be wet and in places there is a risk of freezing rain. A windy day for all too.

Good morning,

Saturday will start with the country divided down the middle: wet in the west; cloudy but dry in the east. Temperatures will be divided too with overnight lows of just 5 to 11C for Ireland, southwest England, south Wales and the Northern Isles; lows more typically of -2 to 1C everywhere else.

Rain and high winds will push eastward from Ireland into southwest England, southern Wales, northwest England and Scotland. As it clashes with cold, continental air, the rain will turn to snow. Snow will affect much of Scotland, northern England and higher ground as the afternoon progresses. Freezing rain will also present a risk today for the aforementioned areas while blizzard conditions may be experienced over hilltops and mountains. High temperatures reaching just 0 to 5C for Scotland, northern and eastern England and North Wales; 9 to 13C for Northern Ireland, Ireland, south Wales and southwestern England.

Rain, freezing rain and snow will continue to push northeastward through the evening with some particularly heavy falls expected for central Scotland. It will remain windy with winds at gale force or stronger for many.

Have a great day!
Claire