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Cold and snow risk next week

[Updated 07:20 07/01/2016]

Thursday begins with heavy rain affecting large parts of the UK but clearer conditions are beginning to return from the west. During the course of the day brighter and showery conditions return to much of Britain but northern regions remain wet, and over high ground in Scotland heavy snow is likely.

Temperatures range from 4C (41F) in Scotland to 9C (48F) in the south. Strong winds in the north east will make it feel cold. See the rainfall radar for the latest view.

Overnight rain, sleet and snow persists in northern Scotland, elsewhere clear spells develop and it becomes quite cold. Late in the night cloud builds in the west and outbreaks of rain return, these spread eastwards across Wales and northern England.

Tomorrow most of the UK has a mix of sunshine and showers. In the far north east the remnants of the rain, sleet and snow may be slow to clear. Cold in the north but in the south temperatures stay close to or slightly above average.

Unsettled conditions last through the weekend with further showers and longer periods of rain. Northern regions will be quite cold and over high ground snow is likely. In the south temperatures remain close to the average.

Next week looks set to bring a change to colder weather as high pressure builds in the Atlantic and winds turn into a north or northwesterly direction. The details are uncertain at the moment but the latest guidance is suggesting the possibility of a longer cold spell. There are signs of disturbances from the Atlantic bumping into the cold air over the UK and these have the potential to disruptive rain, sleet and snow. Conditions in the south look marginal with a greater risk of snow farther north.

Buzz is providing regular updates which discuss next week's probable cold snap in more detail.

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