Turning Cold As 2021 LoomsAdded : Saturday at 14:15 I don't think there are too many of us who will be sorry to see 2020 go but what will the final week of the year bring in terms of weather?
As we talked about yesterday, Storm Bella brings about a significant pattern change in the next 24 hours or so with the emphasis this week turning to frost, ice, freezing fog and even some snow in places.
Firstly, looking at Storm Bella and we are still expecting some very wet and very windy weather to sweep south-eastwards tonight. In particular, we are watching for the potential of a squall line moving through which could bring some torrential rain and very gusty winds. Winds gusting up to 80 MPH around southern and western coasts are expected overnight, with 60 MPH gusts possible inland, but the formation of any squall line could exacerbate these figures in one or two spots so this could cause some damage and disruption:
The next few days see Bella lingering around close to or over the country, and although she will slowly fill meaning that the winds will ease, she won't be going far:
With some rather cold air wrapped up then this makes forecasting rather tricky this week with day to day variable prone to sudden and big changes. We are expecting showers, especially around windward coasts and these could turn heavy and wintry at times, starting from tonight across the north:
Before spreading further south tomorrow:
As we head into Sunday night, we are watching for an area of rain, sleet and snow to affect parts of Northern Ireland, northwest England and into north Wales which cold bring some accumulations of snow, especially to higher ground above 200 metres or so:
As we head towards the New Year the snow risk will be considered on a day-by-day basis, but we are confident that it will be turning rather cold with widespread night frosts and some freezing fog where winds fall light:
METEOROLOGIST: BARBER |