Monthly outlook from BBC: http://www.bbc.co.uk/weather/2635167
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Monday 26 January Published at 10:00
Monthly Outlook
Summary
A cold spell on the horizon.
Last week brought some of the coldest weather the UK has seen for some time. With the winter of 2013/2014 being the 5th mildest winter on record (and records began back in 1910!), it's not that surprising that many areas of the UK saw their coldest nights since way back in March 2013. Temperatures dipped to -14 Celsius on Monday across the snow fields of the Highlands of Scotland, and -9 across western Berkshire on Friday morning.
The weekend saw the return of some milder conditions from the west though, and as we head into the start of this week, it looks like temperatures will stay around the average for late January, with some spells of wet and windy weather at times. By late week though, strong northwesterly winds look set to usher in some rather cold weather that will likely last for several days.
Beyond that, a spell of quietr but still rather cold weather is currently thought most likley. A return to broadly westerly winds driving a succession of Atlantic weather systems across the UK is then anticpated as we head into mid-february.
Read on to find out the details...
Monday 26 January—Sunday 1 February
Breezy and damp giving way to cold and very windy!
The last week of January will get off to a breezy and damp start as weather fronts and some relatively mild Atlantic air clear away into the continent. This process should leave the remainder of Monday as a fairly dry and bright day for most, save for a few wintry showers that will affect the far northwest of Scotland at times. Conditions will be a little chilly overnight into Tuesday with perhaps a slight frost for rural areas, but during Tuesday another fairly weak Atlantic weather system will be ushered in by brisk westerly winds to bring cloudy, milder conditions with some further patchy rain, chiefly for western hills of the UK.
Cloudy, wet and windy weather is likely to be the order of the day on Wednesday with further Atlantic weather fronts moving in from the west.
By late Wednesday though, the UK weather looks as if it will take on a much colder and windier theme, with strong to gale force northwesterly winds bringing cold air across the UK, and the risk of some periods of snowfall, particularly for Scotland, Northern Ireland and northern areas of England, but possible just about anywhere for a time. There will also likely be an increase in overnight frost risk and icy patches as we move through the remainder of the week and into the weekend. February looks like it will get off to a very cold and windy start!
Monday 2 February—Sunday 8 February
Cold through the first week of February.
The cold and strong northwesterly winds that developed towards the end of January look likely to continue through the first week of February, with many areas seeing strong to gale force winds at times, particularly in the north, with even the risk of severe gales around some exposed coastlines of the north and west. Low pressure systems may also be picked up in the northwesterly wind and be driven across the UK, bringing the threat of some spells of snowfall.
By the end of the period, most of the forecasting computer models suggest that an area of high pressure, initially anchored over the mid-Atlantic, will drift eastwards to be positioned over the UK. This process will likely result in a continuation of the cold theme and the associated risk of frosty nights, but the weather is likely to become significantly drier and less windy. Indeed, freezing overnight fog patches are also a likely issue as we head towards the end of first week of the month.
Monday 9 February—Sunday 22 February
Returning to a changeable theme.
At the time of writing, the majority of the medium to long range forecasting computer models are suggesting that this period will begin on a changeable note, with a swift return to Atlantic lows crossing the country from the west (a very familiar theme so far this winter of course!). At this range, it is difficult to assign any specific details to the forecast regarding such features. However, it looks most likely that all areas of the UK will experience some wet and windy intervals, with further cold incursions of air from the north or northwest from time to time.
We await further forecast information with interest!
Edited by user
26 January 2015 10:13:18
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Reason: Not specified
Home Location - Kellands Lane, Okehampton, Devon (200m ASL)
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Sean Moon
Magical Moon
www.magical-moon.com