Slight update to the Met long ranger - only snow mentioned now for the precipitation type later this week and into the weekend
Outlook for the UK over the next 6-30 days
UK Outlook for Saturday 9 Dec 2017 to Monday 18 Dec 2017:
The UK will be subject to a cold arctic airflow this weekend, bringing plenty of sunny spells but also some snow showers. Any snow showers will be most frequent over northern and western parts, and perhaps the east coast, but at times may become more widespread. Strong winds will affect all regions, with gales in exposed coasts in the north and east; feeling very cold in the wind. We will also see a widespread increase in overnight frost and ice. This cold and windy weather is likely to stay in place for a time, perhaps with some brief milder interludes in the south, with frontal systems bringing a mix of rain, sleet and snow. There are signs that the slow-moving and blocked weather pattern is likely to remain in place.
UK Outlook for Tuesday 19 Dec 2017 to Tuesday 2 Jan 2018:
There is low confidence as to which weather pattern will dominate into the second half of December. However, a theme of more slowly evolving and a blocked weather pattern looks the most likely scenario. This is likely to bring a mixture of colder, drier periods and shorter lived milder, wetter, windier interludes. Snow is likely at times especially in more northern and central areas. Overall, temperatures will probably be below the average, but with some brief milder interludes.