Weather and climate change

Headline:

Dull start to the week with low cloud and rain.

Today:

A rather grey day with some fog remaining stubborn to clear and plenty of low cloud. Outbreaks of rain also continuing in central areas, with the brightest skies across northern Scotland. Temperature close to, or slightly above average.

Tonight:

Remaining cloudy with rain moving northwards, locally heavy in Northern Ireland. Some clear spells inbetween cloud will allow frost to develop in the north and west. Turing windy in southwest.

Tuesday:

Cloud breaking across central and northern areas, but remains around western and eastern coasts. Rain in the west, can be heavy in the southwest where winds will strengthen. Average temperatures.

Outlook for Wednesday to Friday:

A changeable few days, often cloudy with some brighter spells but also outbreaks of rain. Turning windier in the north later in the week. Could turn colder here.

Updated: 04:00 (UTC) on Mon 19 Jan 2026

Throughout this period, the UK will see a battle between Atlantic weather systems attempting to push in from the west while high pressure and colder, drier conditions attempt to exert some influence from the east. Initially, milder Atlantic air is expected to dominate for most parts, with showers or longer spells of rain. Temperatures are likely to be around or a little above average, except in the far northeast where it is likely to be colder with some sleet or snow. There is then an increased chance that conditions will turn more widely colder and drier. This aspect of the forecast is still somewhat uncertain but the potential transition to colder weather also increases the chance of snow across parts of the country.

Updated: 14:00 (UTC) on Sun 18 Jan 2026

Initially, slowly evolving weather patterns are most likely in the vicinity of the UK, with low pressure typically to the west or southwest and high pressure to the northeast. This configuration brings an increased chance of cold conditions affecting the UK, and the associated risk of wintry hazards at times. Deeper into February, whilst confidence is naturally low, there may be a transition to more widely unsettled conditions and a corresponding recovery in temperature back closer to average.

Updated: 15:00 (UTC) on Sun 18 Jan 2026