You could perhaps be forgiven for thinking that we have got away with nearly no snow (excluding those people who live in west Scotland) and with temperatures being reasonable throughout. However, I have a feeling that we could soon be in for a shock!
I'm not one to take everything the Met Office says as fact, I would have to be quite naive to do so, considering the countless predictions that have been wrong, however this time, there seems to be a large concensus on what the Met Office are predicting.
Taken from the Met Office website:
UK Outlook for Tuesday 31 Jan 2012 to Thursday 9 Feb 2012:
At the beginning of the week, although there is a lot of uncertainty, eastern and central areas will most likely see clear/sunny spells, and scattered showers, these mostly light but locally wintry. Westernmost areas will probably see more cloud, with occasional rain. Temperatures will probably be below average, the cold accentuated further by fresh winds from an eastern quadrant. Towards the end of the week and through the rest of the period, a general continuation of the cold weather type seems most likely, but it is by no means certain. There is a risk of snow, ice and sharp frosts, with easternmost parts being most prone. However we certainly cannot discount the possibility that mild west/southwesterly winds will return instead, bringing rain at times.
Updated: 1126 on Thu 26 Jan 2012
UK Outlook for Friday 10 Feb 2012 to Friday 24 Feb 2012:
The forecast for mid-February remains very uncertain. However, the most likely outcome is for much colder weather with winds mainly from an easterly quadrant to prevail, bringing widespread frosts, and snow to some areas. In this scenario it would be the east that would be most vulnerable to snowfall. There remains an alternative scenario, in which milder westerly winds prevail, the chances of this alternative scenario are currently rated as about one in three.
Updated: 1142 on Thu 26 Jan 2012
These updates do appear to be pointing to a rather cold scenario, with Easterly winds bringing in cold weather. However, there does still seem to be a lively battle going on with a mild westerly airflow. No scenario is certain yet, but consider this a warning to all those people ready to put away their winter coat!
I'm not one to take everything the Met Office says as fact, I would have to be quite naive to do so, considering the countless predictions that have been wrong, however this time, there seems to be a large concensus on what the Met Office are predicting.
Taken from the Met Office website:
UK Outlook for Tuesday 31 Jan 2012 to Thursday 9 Feb 2012:
At the beginning of the week, although there is a lot of uncertainty, eastern and central areas will most likely see clear/sunny spells, and scattered showers, these mostly light but locally wintry. Westernmost areas will probably see more cloud, with occasional rain. Temperatures will probably be below average, the cold accentuated further by fresh winds from an eastern quadrant. Towards the end of the week and through the rest of the period, a general continuation of the cold weather type seems most likely, but it is by no means certain. There is a risk of snow, ice and sharp frosts, with easternmost parts being most prone. However we certainly cannot discount the possibility that mild west/southwesterly winds will return instead, bringing rain at times.
Updated: 1126 on Thu 26 Jan 2012
UK Outlook for Friday 10 Feb 2012 to Friday 24 Feb 2012:
The forecast for mid-February remains very uncertain. However, the most likely outcome is for much colder weather with winds mainly from an easterly quadrant to prevail, bringing widespread frosts, and snow to some areas. In this scenario it would be the east that would be most vulnerable to snowfall. There remains an alternative scenario, in which milder westerly winds prevail, the chances of this alternative scenario are currently rated as about one in three.
Updated: 1142 on Thu 26 Jan 2012
These updates do appear to be pointing to a rather cold scenario, with Easterly winds bringing in cold weather. However, there does still seem to be a lively battle going on with a mild westerly airflow. No scenario is certain yet, but consider this a warning to all those people ready to put away their winter coat!
