29/12/2017 Weather for the Week Ahead

Hello. The first part of the new year looks set

to bring something a little bit milder.

But, before the old year is done there's still the potential

that wintry weather will cause some issues.

The Met Office Amber "Be Prepared" warning for snow through the

first part of Friday, particularly across northern England, but

not exclusively.

That's where we're expecting the most significant snowfall

across the south of the Pennines.

But right up through northern England into

southern Scotland some snow, even to fairly low levels.

Northern Ireland, a mixture of rain, sleet and snow.

A similar story for parts of Wales and the Midlands.

And then as this rain towards the south-east falls on very cold

surfaces, well, there could be some icy conditions through the

first part of the day.

So, whichever way you slice it

some destruction is possible

through the first part of Friday.

As we go on through the day, the rain, sleet and snow will

drift northwards across Northern England into Scotland,

tending to fizzle away.

To the south, something brighter developing, spells of

sunshine, a scattering of showers, as well.

Generally quite a windy day and a real range of temperatures,

just two there in Glasgow.

But some of that mild air starting

to show its hand towards the south-west.

Now one frontal system clears away as we move through Friday night,

but another slides into the picture on Saturday.

Again, that will bring some rain northwards.

And again that could turn to snow, particularly over high ground

in Scotland.

But even to fairly low levels, we could see some snowfall

during Saturday.

Further south a slice of sunshine, but some rain flirting with

the far south of England.

13 degrees there in Plymouth, much milder than it has been but

still that cold air holding on further north.

As we move out of Saturday into New Year's Eve, it's all about these

south-westerly winds bringing mild weather, particularly in the south.

The winds are quite strong at times, could be gales in exposed spots.

Outbreaks of rain moving from the south-west towards the north-east.

Maybe still cold enough for some snow in the north and those

temperatures around 5 to 13 degrees.

And if you're out celebrating at midnight on New Years Eve,

well, expect some clear spells overhead.

The chance for one or two showers blowing in on that

south-westerly wind and although temperatures on the face of

it don't look particularly low, add on the strength of that wind,

it could actually feel on the chilly side.

So what about the first day of 2018?

Well, it looks like New Year's Day will start off fine and dry

and potentially fairly chilly, but then it'll cloud over from

the west with some outbreaks of rain.

Strong winds, as well, so an unsettled New Year's Day.

And temperatures around 4 to 10 degrees.

As we move out of New Year's Day into Tuesday, we've still got

this speed of south-westerly winds.

Areas of low pressure running just to the north-west of the

British Isles and actually this one could be quite a deep feature.

That could bring some very strong winds, indeed.

Gales, possibly severe gales in places.

Bands of rain sweeping erratically northwards and eastwards, and

those temperatures of six to 12 degrees.

Now, the weather through the early part of the new year will be

dictated by events on the other side of the Atlantic.

A cold snap continuing across the north-east USA and

eastern Canada, and as that cold air tries to dig southwards,

it strengthens the jet stream.

Now the jet stream, the high winds way above our heads driving

the weather systems around the world, and a strong jet means

we're going to see unsettled weather.

As the cold air digs into the jet, we will spin up these deep

areas of low pressure.

So, through the coming days into early 2018, we'll see spells

of rain and gales and generally it will be less cold as we go

into the first part of the new year.