Issued: 0900 Wednesday 18th December 2024
Duty forecaster: Dr. Simon Keeling

Severe gales, rain and showers but some dry days, then quieter next week

Rapidly changing weather through the rest of this week and into the weekend. Unsettled with periods of rain and showers, alternating between mild and cold. Severe gales could occur on Saturday and Sunday too. Turning quieter next week as higher pressure builds bringing a mild, mostly dry Christmas.

For the weather for the next few days click here

Saturday 21/12/24
A deep area of low pressure close to northern Scotland on Saturday. Widespread gales for all areas, the speeds gusting 70mph or more in Scotland. Cloud and periods of rain, tending to turn more showery as the morning progresses. The showers heavy and persistent in northern and western Scotland. Some heavy showers in western England, western Wales and western Ireland. Sleet and snow over the hills of Scotland later too. Tops at 5C in northern Scotland, 12C in southern England.

Sunday 22/12/24
A colder day on Sunday with a significant wind-chill. Further showers, some of them heavy across northern and western areas with sleet and snow over the tops of the hills of Scotland, and northern England. Brighter and drier across eastern and southern areas of England and Wales. A significant wind-chill. Tops at 4 to 6C.


 

Monday 23/12/24
A ridge of high pressure builds through Monday, bringing a fair and frosty start to the day. Cloud increasing across Ireland, Scotland and western areas of England and Wales bringing some rain or drizzle here in the afternoon. Highs at 6 to 8C.



 
 
 

Christmas Eve 24/12/24
A front bringing cloud and outbreaks of drizzle for many, but more persistent rain in western Scotland. A few bright spells in southern England, but staying cloudy for most. A very mild day. Windy in northwest west Scotland. Highs at 11 to 14C.



 
 
 

Christmas Day 25/12/24
High pressure to the south of the country. Drizzle over western coasts and hills. Brighter in the eastern areas with sunny spells. Cloud and rain in northern Scotland and windy here as well. Highs at 10 to 12C.

Boxing Day 26/12/24
High pressure over the country for Boxing Day. Fair and dry with sunny spells for most. Cloudier western coasts of Ireland and northwest Scotland with a risk of drizzle here. Highs at 7 to 10C.