Issued: 0900hrs Friday 18th December 2015
Duty forecaster: Garry Nicholson

Often windy, occasional severe gales

A very mild run up to Christmas, with temperatures frequently in double figures, and frost not expected almost everywhere. Periods of gales and rain will continue to sweep in from the Atlantic, giving regular heavy rain over western hills, but smaller amounts in the east.

For the weather for the next few days click here

Monday 21/12/15
Low pressure to the north of Britain brings wind and rain to most areas during the day. Heaviest rain will affect the hills of west Wales, north-west England and western Scotland. Winds reaching gale or severe gale force in the north & west, gusts 50 to 60mph, locally stronger. Staying mild, temperatures between 7C in Scotland, and 13C in the Midlands and southern England.

Tuesday 22/12/15
A broad warm sector influences the British Isles, bringing another very mild day. Blustery south-westerly winds, gales for exposed coasts and hills, gusts widely over 50mph. Rain will be heavy and prolonged over western regions, but some rain is likely to spread east across most areas. Highs 10 to 14C.
 

Wednesday 23/12/15
A fresher day than previously, with brisk westerly winds affecting the country. Pulses of showery rain, most frequent in the west and north-west, and some snow over the Scottish mountains. The south and east will avoid the worst of the rain and see longer bright spells, with some sunshine. Cooler, highs 6 to 10C.
 

Christmas Eve 24/12/15
A cool start to the morning, but mild air is expected to sweep back across the country during the day. Another developing area of low pressure threatens to bring severe gales to the north-west of Britain & Ireland, plus heavy falls of rain. Drier in the south & east. Top temperatures 8 to 12C.

Christmas Day 25/12/15
Mild and windy across England and Wales. Cooler across Scotland. Rain may persist for northern regions of Britain. Best chance for snow looks reserved for the mountains of Scotland. Temperatures ranging from 6C in the Highlands, to 12C in the south of Britain.

Boxing Day 26/12/15
A lot of uncertainty about detail. Most likely mild, wet and windy. The northern edge of a band of rain pushing into Scotland and northern England may turn to snow for a time. Cool in north, mild in south, temperatures between 5 and 11C.