Issued: 1000hrs Friday 21st December 2018
Duty forecaster: Garry Nicholson

Some frost north

A generally quiet and mild weather pattern will take us into the Christmas period as high pressure moves across the British Isles. There will be some rain this weekend for England & Wales, whilst Scotland and northern England will be drier with frost. Christmas Day is likely to be mostly dry, but with overcast skies for many. The rest of the week stays mild, but rather grey and damp at times.

For the weather for the next few days click here

Christmas Eve 24/12/18
High pressure influences the country, whilst the remnants of a front affects central-southern England and Wales. Grey skies with drizzly rain toward the south and south-west. Progressively brighter further north, with sunshine best in eastern Scotland and north-east England. Some early fog patches. Light winds overall. Temperatures ranging from 11 to 13C in the far south, to 6 to 9C for northern regions, with a frosty start in Scotland, and far north of England.

Christmas Day 25/12/18
High pressure centred to the south-east of Britain promotes a fairly mild south to southwesterly airflow across the country. A generally dry day, but with a lot of cloud. Early murk and fog possible. Best of any sunny breaks toward the north-east, especially in Scotland to the lee of the Highlands. A little drizzly rain may move into western fringes of Ireland and western Scotland later. Temperatures 7 to 9C north & east, 10 to 13C south and west.

Boxing Day 26/12/18
A mild southwesterly pattern continues. Rather dull again for many places. Best chance for sun toward the east and north-east. Patchy rain and drizzle for the west & north-west of Britain and Ireland as weak fronts come in from the Atlantic. Breezy near western coasts. A threat of persistent fog in some areas across the Midlands, south & east with light winds. Highs 8 to 12C, locally cooler if murk persists.

Thursday 27/12/18
A similar southwesterly regime. Dull and damp in the west & north-west. A lot of low cloud and hill fog. A little brighter toward the east with some sun trying to break through. Risk of stubborn low-level fog locally. Some persistent rain may affect western Scotland where it will be quite breezy. Light winds for most. Highs 7 to 11C.

Friday 28/12/18
Perhaps a little cooler as winds turn slightly to the west. Patchy rain or drizzle, chiefly in western areas, and staying generally overcast. Some sun to the east of high ground. Highs 6 to 10C.

Saturday 29/12/18
Fronts are likely to pass across northern Britain, bringing rain and brisk winds. Patchy rain may affect central-southern areas, but the south & south-east should be largely dry. A breezier day, possibly windy in the north. Highs 5 to 10C.