Weather and climate change

Headline:

Rain moving north, with some snow over northern hills. Windy.

Today:

Rather cloudy and breezy with rain moving northwards, giving snow over some northern hills. Briefly brighter in the south, though heavier rain and strong winds developing from the south and west during the afternoon. Feeling rather cold in the north.

Tonight:

Bands of rain or showers affecting many areas of the country, some heavy bursts across the southwest. Some drier spells, especially towards the northwest where a local frost is possible.

Saturday:

Often cloudy, perhaps with a few brighter spells in the east. Outbreaks of light rain and drizzle possible almost anywhere. Heavier rain and showers in the southwest edging slowly northwards.

Outlook for Sunday to Tuesday:

Remaining unsettled on Sunday and to start next week. Showers or longer spells of heavy rain affecting most areas, coupled with brisk winds at times. Further snow on northern hills.

Updated: 04:00 (UTC) on Fri 30 Jan 2026

Largely unsettled weather is expected to begin, bringing showers or longer spells of rain for many places. It may also be rather windy at times, especially towards the south west. Towards the northeast, colder conditions will remain nearby, with the risk of colder air pushing further south west at times, increasing the chance of snowfall. Although snow is more likely over high ground, some snow to lower levels could not be ruled out. Temperatures will be close to average for most, but perhaps rather cold in the northeast. An often brisk wind will accentuate the colder feel too, especially for coastal districts. As we move through the forecast, confidence lowers between whether milder air from the south west will dominate or colder air from the east moves more bodily in.

Updated: 14:00 (UTC) on Thu 29 Jan 2026

Something of a north-south split seems quite likely at first, with low pressure to the south and high pressure to the north, before a potential change back to more of a southwest-northeast split. With the jet stream likely further south than normal, the wettest conditions are more likely towards the south. Northwestern parts of the UK are most likely to be drier than normal. Whilst incursions of wet, windy and milder weather are favoured at times in the south and later the west, colder conditions further north will bring an increased risk of wintry hazards, especially where any precipitation from the southwest interacts with the cold air. The colder conditions may affect all parts at times, more especially early in this period.

Updated: 15:00 (UTC) on Thu 29 Jan 2026