Issued: 0900hrs Wednesday 31st December 2014
Duty forecaster: Simon Keeling

A change in the year heralds a change in the weather. Things are going to be turning more stormy as we head into the New Year, and into next week too. The jet stream srengthens next week pushing fronts through the country and bringing gales, some of them severe in the north and west. Most rain to the north and west, and generally milder than recently.

For the weather for the next few days click here


Saturday 3/1/15
An area of low pressure is expected to be blowing in from the Atlantic on Saturday. It will only be a small area of low pressure, but wil be bringing rain across Ireland, Wales and southwest England in the morning. This then spreads east through all areas in the afternoon, with a little sleet or snow on high ground of northern England and Scotland. Feeling chilly for all but the far southwest with highs at 3 to 5C, nearer 11C in southwest England and becoming windy too.

Sunday 4/1/15
The remains of fronts clearing eastern coasts on Sunday morning bringing some outbreaks of rain. A ridge of high pressure builds from the west with drier weather then affecting all areas. It becomes sunny in the afternoon. Highs at 4 to 8C.

Monday 5/1/15
An area of high pressure to the south of the UK on Monday with low pressure to the northwest. A front will pass east bringing cloud and rain to Scotland and Ireland, with drizzle on the western coasts of Wales and England. Further east and south it is drier, but will be turning cloudy. Highs at 6 to 10C.

Tuesday 6/1/15
A weakening and slow moving front edges into the west of the UK on Tuesday. This brings cloud and rain here, turning increasingly cool with some sleet and snow on the hills of Scotland. More eastern areas will find increasing cloud through the day, although staying mild in the southeast. Highs at 3 to 9C.

Wednesday 7/1/15
The remains of the weak front over southeast England today, bringing som drizzle. Brighter for more northern and western areas. A further front drives rain and strong winds through Ireland and into Scotland, with a risk of severe gales. Highs at 5 to 10C.

Thursday 8/1/15
A band of rain spreading east through Thursday. There may be some strong winds associated with it, before clearing to sunny spells and a few showers in the west. Highs at 5 to 10C.