Weather forecasters say UK temperatures have been mild for some time – and nearly peaked at 18C on Wednesday – but these will rapidly tumble as Arctic winds rattle southwards
Temperatures are set to tumble by around 9C in the next week as an Arctic blast takes hold, forecasters say.
While it has been particularly mild recently with temperatures in the late teens across the UK, a spell of low pressure will see colder conditions arrive next week.
The mercury peaked at 17.9C in Thomastown, County Fermanagh, yesterday but next Wednesday just 9C is forecast in the same area, 8C is expected across north Wales and it’ll be even colder across Scotland. The wind direction – and speeds – are changing and so significantly fresher air will arrive from the Arctic.
Writing on its long-range forecast for next week, the Met Office says: “After a bright start, increasingly cloudy conditions are likely to develop by midweek, with patchy drizzle possible at times. Some fog is also possible, this slow to clear. Later next week, it looks like turning more unsettled for a time, with some rain or showers, particularly towards the east.”
November has so far been a very dry month, largely due to the “anticyclonic gloom” the country has experienced for a while. This has caused significant cloud, sometimes low-lying and often with fog patches, to linger. Croydon, south London, was the wettest area on Wednesday but even then, it only saw a mere 0.3 inches of rainfall.
But this is set to change as, while the temperatures drop, chances of rain increase across the UK next week. Earlier indications suggest next Friday will be the wettest day, especially across East Anglia and parts of the Midlands. Chances of snow, however, are unlikely – despite speculation online last week Brits would see a covering of the white stuff.
The winds will be strongest in the east, forecasters understand. It is believed wind speeds could reach 40mph along the North Sea coast as the northerly gusts batter Northumberland, Tyne and Wear County Durham, East Yorkshire and other counties on Wednesday.
The Met Office’s forecast continues: “Winds will be mainly light for many parts early next week, but breezier conditions seem likely to develop from later next week… As we head into December, a more unsettled and mobile picture will probably develop across all parts.”
