Yep, rain forecast for over the Chilterns so a warm up here later.  I have really enjoyed the sunny wintry weather over the last few days.

I am surprised that there won't even be any snow for Salisbury Plain?!?

It will drift South

According to Trevor Harley's site, the lowest temp in the 2010 spell was -22.3C at Altnaharra on 7/8 January 2010.

http://www.personal.dundee.ac.uk/~taharley/2010_weather.htm

Then on December 1 2010 it hit -21.1C, again at Altnaharra. As far as I can see that was the last time it reached -20C in the UK. The lowest since then was -18.3C at Chesham on 10-11 Feb 2012.

In general terms for the forecast snowfall it's encouraging to read the wording of the yellow warning state that it may be upgraded to an amber warning.  It suggests reasonable confidence that somewhere in the current warning area will get a respectable covering out of this.  I suspect it will be around Derbyshire/Nottinghamshire/South Yorkshire if anywhere that will see an amber warning pop up later this evening/night.  The mention of an upgrade to amber (somewhere) is also reflected in the latest MetO video update.

The precipitation looks to produce at least some wintryness/snow across much of Wales, the Midlands and extends up through southern parts of northern England (Manchester/Sheffield etc.) toward the coast of NE England.  From the northern-most parts of central southern England southwards it's anything from a sleety wet snow mix to rain or nothing.  It slowly peters out across the Midlands and eastern-most parts of Wales throughout tomorrow.

There's another yellow warning for ice/snow for NI and south-west Scotland and perhaps just fringing the far north-west of England.  2/3cm accumulating in places.  I would suggest ice may be the main reason for this warning area rather than the snow.

Given the above and the fact that many areas of the south hasn't seen any snow falling let alone lying - perhaps we could start a "rate this cold spell thread?" - It was forecasted the be the coldest in 4 years . I know what I will rate it, just need to get through tonight.

Wrong thread and confidence without evidence could be deemed reckless!!

I think his 'evidence' is experience, and backing the form horse

The half six forecast went for the modern standard of 2-5cm at low levels and 10cm for the hills in the north Midlands.  Still the same general detail - mix of rain/sleet/snow slowly dying out across the north-west quarter (ish) of the Midlands and its border with Wales through tomorrow.  Difficult driving conditions in places - seems fair comment in areas that see snow falling moderately/heavily at times overnight.

Met Office update: - No sign of any milder weather or prolonged milder weather - if anything more like a 'deja-vu' of December last month.

UK Outlook for Wednesday 4 Feb 2015 to Wednesday 18 Feb 2015:

The unsettled conditions will probably continue across most parts of the UK during the first half of February, particularly for northern and western parts. Southern areas are probably most likely to experience some lengthier dry and clearer spells. Temperatures are currently signalled to be generally near normal, but there will be some colder spells accompanied by night-time frosts and also a wintry mix of rain, sleet and snow at times.

Updated at: 1531 on Tue 20 Jan 2015

Means little for many though. If I were seeking cold (for my location), the likely continuation of zonality, cool or otherwise, is utter rubbish.

Love the "rain will start in" sentence :-)

http://www.accuweather.com/en/gb/london/ec4a-2/weather-forecast/328328

Outlook for the UK over the next 6-30 days

UK Outlook for Tuesday 27 Jan 2015 to Thursday 5 Feb 2015:

A cold but bright start to Tuesday with patchy frost in the east and southeast. Further to the north and west conditions will be cloudier with some rain ahead of a more active band of rain that moves southeastwards through Tuesday and overnight into Wednesday. This brings with it stronger winds, perhaps gales to the far northwest, and also milder temperatures. Drier conditions should then follow across the UK on Wednesday before we then move into a potentially very disturbed spell of weather with gales or severe gales in many places. Turning somewhat colder with an increasing risk of snow in the north. Temperatures will vary markedly day to day, and will be cold at times with overnight frosts.

UK Outlook for Friday 6 Feb 2015 to Friday 20 Feb 2015:

It looks most likely that unsettled conditions will continue across of the UK and that conditions in western parts will see slightly wetter than average conditions. The east is expected to see conditions closer to average for the time of year and be more likely to experience some dry and clearer spells. Temperatures are currently expected to be near normal in the most-part, but will perhaps we slightly colder in parts of the north and west. However, some colder spells are still possible at times accompanied by night-time frosts and also a wintry mix of rain, sleet and snow

Cold zonality reigns supreme from UKMO today.

Super update for those in the North West

Yippee!

Latest metoffice screams status quo = crap down here.... So if true then winter is basically over, roll on spring :-)

We've had record breaking Decembers/Marchs only matter of time till February falls into that severe time slot IMO

(Feb is long overdue showing brutal cold/snow!)

I was reading the daily star today while in the café having my breakfast  It said 3 month freeze

bit unlikely lol

On a more serious note, cold March and April, no thanks

If your two rashers and fried were that cold I'd have complained

epic snowfall for the alps towards the end of the week 30th,31st Jan and beyond

This http://wxmaps.org/pix/prec4.html

translates into 1m + of new snow. Access and avalanches likely to be  a major problem.

http://www.wunderground.com/weather-forecast/FR/Chamonix-Mont-Blanc.html