The UK is predicted to experience the first “significant” strong winds of the season next week as temperatures plummet across the four nations. The Met Office said a cold front moving southwards is expected to bring some showers and winds while cold air coming from the north is going to lead to a drop in temperatures.
Scotland is predicted to have a mixture of single-figure temperatures and low double figures – 9C (48.2F) to 11C (51.8F) – from Monday onwards while England, Wales and Northern Ireland are expected to see highs of 12C (53.6F) and 13C (55.4F). Sunday is expected to be warmer, with central and southern parts of England dry with sunny spells while the north and Wales will be cloudy and overcast.
Scotland and Northern Ireland, meanwhile, are predicted to have heavy rain and cloud on Sunday before the cold front moves in. Alex Burkill, a meteorologist at the Met Office, said: “We’ve got a cold front that is pushing its way southwards as we go through to tomorrow, more so later tomorrow and into Monday.
“It will bring some rain and some strong winds, probably the first significant strong winds of the season so far particularly for Scotland, but the bigger talking point being the cold air that’s going to come down from the north behind it. So, temperatures are going to take a bit of a drop. I think Sunday night into Monday is going to be a bit chilly for some but because of the cloud, the rain, the strong winds, temperatures won’t drop too much. I think it’s going to be from Monday onwards when we’re going to see the real cooler feel.”
Meteorologist Aidan McGivern told The Express: “It will feel rather autumnal at times, and at the start of next week we have northerly winds which will bring a chill across the UK. The start of the weekend is looking drier and brighter as high pressure extends its influence, but not particularly warm as we have a north-westerly airflow.”
Mr Burkill added that while southern and coastal parts of England on Monday could see highs of 16C (60.8F) and 17C (62.6F), Scotland is expected to see a maximum of 8C (46.4F) or 9C. Temperatures on Tuesday are believed to fall again, with England seeing an average of 11C or 12C, while Wales and Northern Ireland could see 12C on average.
Scotland will see a slight increase in temperatures that day, with a maximum of 11C. Monday is predicted to have a rainy start for the southern parts of England and northern parts of Scotland, with the south and central England switching to cloudy with sunny spells as the day progresses.
Wales, Northern Ireland and the rest of England and Scotland are expected to remain cloudy for the day. Tuesday is predicted to be cloudy and overcast for the whole of the UK, with some sunny spells in the late morning and early afternoon across the east and north-east parts of Scotland and England. Rain is predicted for Wales and the north-west and south-west of England later on Tuesday.
While the entire country will be feeling the chill next week, the mountains of Scotland could get a dusting of snow, Mr McGivern added. He said: “Temperatures will dip below average at the start of next week for the north and the south. It will be cold enough for a touch of frost and cold enough for some snow, but this will be over the tops of the Scottish mountains."
Some weather models show ‘feel-like’ wind-chill temperatures dropping to -3C across northern Britain next week. The chilly forecast prompted Ladbrokes to go odds-on for festive snow offering 4-6 on a white Christmas. Spokesman Alex Apati said: “Punters dreaming of a White Christmas may well get their wish this year if the latest odds are anything to go by, and it looks like Scots are most likely to see snow on Christmas Day.”
Met Office five-day forecast
Today: Rain across the far southeast, perhaps heavy at first, slowly clearing. Elsewhere, a scattering of showers likely but most parts will be dry with broken cloud and sunny spells, sunniest in the north and west by afternoon.
Tonight: Showers becoming confined to coasts. Clear periods across inland areas allowing it to turn chilly with a touch of rural frost and a few fog patches forming.
Sunday: Central and southern parts dry with sunny spells. Northern parts clouding over with a few showers, then turning wet and windy across northern Scotland with gales in the far north.
Outlook for Monday to Wednesday: A band of rain will clear quickly south Monday; cooler, showery weather follows. Showers or some longer spells of rain for most Tuesday and Wednesday. Rather cool or cool.
Long-range weather forecast from the Met Office
September 28-October 7: A generally unsettled start to this period across the UK, with showers or more persistent rain alternating with drier and brighter spells. Cloud and rain will most likely spread from the west or southwest at times, with eastern areas perhaps drier on average. Into October, the unsettled regime is likely to continue dominating the UK weather. Low pressure systems will bring showers or longer periods of rain to most parts of the country, with the highest rainfall expected in the west and northwest. Winds may become strong at times, most likely in the northwest. A shift towards more settled weather could possibly begin at the end of this period. Temperatures rather cold at first, then trending close to or slightly above average.
October 8-22: Drier and more settled conditions are likely to become more prevalent across the UK through this period, especially in the south. Some periods of wetter weather remain probable at times, most likely in the northwest. Temperatures are expected to trend near to or slightly above average.
