The UK is bracing for a sustained period of cold weather, with temperatures plunging overnight and flood warnings remaining in place across several regions. The Met Office has issued alerts for potential flooding in 80 areas, following heavy rain and strong winds that have already swept across the country. Overnight temperatures dipped to -11C in Tyndrum, Stirling, while several Scottish cities experienced lows of -5C. In England, the coldest temperature recorded was -2.9C in Keswick, Cumbria. The Environment Agency has issued 18 flood warnings, primarily for the River Severn and River Derwent, and has also activated 62 flood alerts.
The forecast for the coming days predicts continued cold conditions, with temperatures expected to drop as low as -4C in some Scottish towns and cities. While Wales and South East England will experience slightly milder temperatures, hovering around 1C and 4C respectively, most of England and Wales can expect cloudy skies and patchy drizzle, particularly in the east. Clear spells and frost are also anticipated in some areas. Met Office meteorologist Alex Deakin noted that while the majority of the UK will experience a dry night, thickening cloud over eastern regions will likely bring rain and drizzle in the early hours. He also highlighted the risk of persistent fog in parts of South West Scotland.
Thursday’s forecast indicates continued cloudy conditions with patchy drizzle, mainly affecting the East. Low cloud cover will lead to hill fog in some areas, while brighter skies are expected in the West and across much of Scotland. Mr Deakin described the forecast for much of England as “dank, dreary, and pretty dismal,” with rain and drizzle also impacting parts of Wales. While most of the South is expected to remain dry, it will remain gloomy and cold. Temperatures on Thursday are projected to reach a maximum of 8C in England, 6C in Wales, 5C in Northern Ireland, and between 1C and 4C in Scotland.
Looking ahead, the Met Office anticipates high pressure to dominate from Friday onwards, bringing some sunshine along with overnight frost and fog. However, patchy rain is expected to move across the North during the weekend, accompanied by a gradual rise in temperatures. This forecast follows the disruptive Storm Barra, which caused widespread power outages and flooding across the UK. Efforts are underway to reconnect the final homes affected by the storm, as communities begin the clean-up process.
The long-range forecast from the Met Office, covering December 14th to 23rd, suggests a continuation of unsettled weather, with wind and rain expected across the country. There is also the potential for wintry showers, particularly in the northwest. High pressure is likely to weaken over the weekend, allowing bands of rain to move southeastwards. While there may be attempts for high pressure to rebuild, particularly in the south, the overall trend is towards an unsettled regime, with spells of rain followed by blustery showers. These showers are more likely to be frequent and potentially wintry in the northwest.
Windy conditions are expected at times, especially in the north, while southern areas have a higher chance of experiencing some longer drier and more settled periods. However, even in the south, it may still be rather breezy. Temperatures will fluctuate around average, with oscillations between colder and milder interludes. The UK can therefore anticipate a mix of sunshine, rain, and potentially some wintry showers in the coming weeks, with temperatures remaining around average for the time of year.
