An increasingly unsettled day of weather is expected today as an Atlantic frontal system moves in from the west bringing heavy rain and gales with it. As this system meets the cold air in place towards more northern and eastern regions so the risk of freezing rain and snow will increase.
This morning starts off bright and frosty across many central and eastern parts of the UK but already winds are freshening up as thickening cloud moves in from the west. Heavy rain, with some sleet and wet snow in places, is already affecting many parts of Ireland, Northern Ireland, western Scotland, Wales and the southwest of England and this wet weather will push steadily north and east during today although the extreme east may stay dry until after dark. There is a risk of freezing rain for a time across central and northern regions bringing some potentially very icy conditions, but snow is likely to become more of a hazard, especially from northern England northwards where some heavy snow is likely leading to accumulations, especially over the hills and mountains where blizzards are likely as gales develop. It will be a cold day in the north and east with temperatures hovering around freezing for much of the day, but it will be turning much milder in the southwest with temperatures here reaching the low teens so a big contrast.
The heavy rain and snow continues to clear north-eastwards tonight but not before bringing some significant snowfall to higher parts of northern England and Scotland. Clearer conditions will follow along with lighter winds, but showers will affect southern and western coasts. This takes us into a somewhat quieter day tomorrow with many places seeing some bright or sunny spells developing, but some showers will affect areas towards the south and west before a more persistent band of rain sweeps north-eastwards during the afternoon whilst temperatures will be a touch higher than recently.
METEOROLOGIST: BARBER
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