The Weather Outlook

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squish
28 January 2026 19:45:37
ECM op not without interest 
D.E.W on Dartmoor. 300m asl
January2010
28 January 2026 20:03:40
It all looks very poor to me once again for cold weather hunters, with anything that might be of interest pushed way back to mid-February looking at the GEFS, and even then it doesn't look like bringing in anything significant.
doctormog
28 January 2026 20:12:54

ECM op not without interest 

Originally Posted by: squish 

Indeed from the medium range all the way through to the end. It’s an interesting development as it has been much more reluctant to bring in the cold (on op runs and the ensembles) when compared with the GFS data. So, while there is no imminent wintry blast the option is still there in a similar timescale that has been apparent over the last few days. Will it disappear (again) or will that signal remain? The ECM ensemble data looks increasingly chilly in the medium to longer term this evening too.

Having said all that, for many (not for here) this has been very much a winter of potential and close but no cigar. Perhaps happiness will be a cigar called Hamlet (from the east?) after all.

If it doesn’t happen, blame I bought a new snow shovel after breaking mine from excessive use for 10 days at the start of January!


White Meadows
28 January 2026 20:51:39
The Met update still looks on the wishy-washy side, no real commitments to true cold narrative and a far cry from the golden paragraphs as they astonished readers back in 2009 & 2010. 

GFS seems to lead the way (as has been common this winter) with bullish cold, courtesy of an anticyclone. Will it all fall apart again at +72 hours? 

As usual the Met updates are key for me. I’m looking for solid consistency with subtle, daily upgrades. 

squish
28 January 2026 20:55:15
The12z ICON was also 'of interest' so will look out for this theme being maintained on the 18z run now trickling out. 

I think the UKMO longer range forecasts have been pretty spot on this winter, and that fact they are suggesting more confidence in an easterly outbreak is definitely of note....


D.E.W on Dartmoor. 300m asl
Hippydave
28 January 2026 20:57:12

From what I can see re cold weather, there's reasonable agreement for Scotland and maybe NE England having cold air at points over the next 10 days or so. Given when it's not 'cold' it still looks likely to be chilly in the far north and certainly chilly enough for further snow over the higher ground, it's a bit of an old school pattern. There's realistically little chance of any properly cold air being dragged down countrywide, so in the south for this period it's a case of what temp the rain is and how much of it will there be. As you head further north the chances of some hill snow increase and if the stars align maybe some transient low level stuff at times too. 

From around 7th Feb or so there's a decent signal that colder air may make it's way south, courtesy of blocking somewhere around Greenland. There seems to be an unusually good level of agreement in the blocking bit, but not on how much of an influence this has over the UK - Scotland looks likely to see colder air again as a result of the blocking, it's uncertain the further south you head but there's a decent signal for the cold to cover most of the UK. There's also a decent signal for it not to get as far south as MBY, so confidently predicting cold would be a bit premature/daft IMO. Plus it remains in deep FI and whilst it's been a persistent signal for a while now, that's no guarantee it won't disappear as it gets closer to the reliable and the models get a better handle on the jet, LP strengths etc. 

As it stands the one thing that doesn't look likely is dry weather - most of the drainage ditches locally are full at present and the ground saturated, so any 10+mm rain events is likely to lead to some local issues and any more noticeable rainfall totals could lead to more noticeable flooding. 

Edit = hadn't seen the ECM set that Brian's just posted, would probably have been more pessimistic about the longer term cold chances down here if I had!

Originally Posted by: Hippydave 

Posted that a couple of days ago but it's pretty much accurate still IMO, maybe a touch less cool in the nearer term for some than was being shown then, and I was feeling lazy🤡

Blocking somewhere around Greenland circa 7th Feb remains a likely outcome, whether influential enough to bring countrywide cold or at least colder stuff remains uncertain but this evenings ens suggest yes to some extent. I've not looked at the models much last couple of days so don't know how much wobbling around has occurred but tonight's snapshot looks promising for cold albeit still in deepish FI. 


Home: Tunbridge Wells

Work: Tonbridge

squish
28 January 2026 21:13:03
18z ICON hints at an earlier push from the east
D.E.W on Dartmoor. 300m asl
DPower
28 January 2026 22:33:41
Will there be a strat split or not, the saga continues. After losing the split for a day or so the 12z gfs is again showing a split in a favourable position for the advection of deep cold towards the UK but we need to see this modelled consistently. The Icon certainly raises an eyebrow and now seeing the gfs 18z coming out this ties in with what is happening in the strat so a lot more confident on what is now being modelled.  IF we do see the split as being modelled we could be in for a very memorable couple of weeks.
Matty H
28 January 2026 23:04:51

Will there be a strat split or not, the saga continues. After losing the split for a day or so the 12z gfs is again showing a split in a favourable position for the advection of deep cold towards the UK but we need to see this modelled consistently. The Icon certainly raises an eyebrow and now seeing the gfs 18z coming out this ties in with what is happening in the strat so a lot more confident on what is now being modelled.  IF we do see the split as being modelled we could be in for a very memorable couple of weeks.

Originally Posted by: DPower 

I would suggest there is zero chance any model is currently factoring in a SSW that hasn’t even happened yet and may well likely not happen at all. It’s well into the SSW being underway before models even start to factor in ramifications to the weather at ground level  


Yate, Nr Bristol

TBFTEIARBSC

The Beast from the East
29 January 2026 01:53:04

18z ICON hints at an earlier push from the east

Originally Posted by: squish 

Feels like Groundhog day though.  Like looking at a mirage. Never gets any closer!  


Purley, Surrey, 70m ASL

"We have some alternative facts for you"

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Retron
29 January 2026 04:54:18
Good to see the -12C 850 isotherm heading so far south and only at T+78 too - but wait, that's not the UK, it's Florida! 

No change here, sadly, the eastern States gets an exceptional cold spell and we just get a deluge. The rainbow is still there, faintly, in the distance, but that's all.

https://images.meteociel.fr/im/90/3563/gfsna_1_78rww0.png 

UserPostedImage

EDIT: And I won't lie, it's incredibly frustrating to see even the southern tip of Florida in for -4 850s, whereas such cold isn't going to be seen here for at least 10 more days. The Everglades, for reference, are at 25N, 120 miles or so away from the Tropic of Cancer.


Leysdown, north Kent
Jiries
29 January 2026 05:35:55

Good to see the -12C 850 isotherm heading so far south and only at T+78 too - but wait, that's not the UK, it's Florida! 

No change here, sadly, the eastern States gets an exceptional cold spell and we just get a deluge. The rainbow is still there, faintly, in the distance, but that's all.

https://images.meteociel.fr/im/90/3563/gfsna_1_78rww0.png 

UserPostedImage

EDIT: And I won't lie, it's incredibly frustrating to see even the southern tip of Florida in for -4 850s, whereas such cold isn't going to be seen here for at least 10 more days. The Everglades, for reference, are at 25N, 120 miles or so away from the Tropic of Cancer.

Originally Posted by: Retron 

I wonder what caused all this cold goes to Florida for 2nd year running under this supposed global warming?  My cousin in Toronto are so fed up with it and I told her we need badly to get deep cold and snowy here so they can get much needed average to mild breaks.  I explained to her that we can’t get it while there very cold.  I have not look at ensembles lately as I gave up with this now.  Now l seen this 00z and it getting milder so hope early Spring like weather than this currently.  We also can’t get deep cold while those Scrooge models still around that never allow us get a winter cold. 

Ally Pally Snowman
29 January 2026 06:54:41
No real change this morning the 2nd week of February cold spell is still on. Can we count it down to the 0h?
Bishop's Stortford 85m ASL.
roadrunnerajn
29 January 2026 07:01:26
According to the Met office on their 10 day forecast there is a 42% possibility of an Easterly by the end of next week. The presenter did mention that we’ve been here before this winter but this time there is a lot more support.
Germoe, part of the breakaway Celtic Republic. 80m asl
Retron
29 January 2026 07:19:01

No real change this morning the 2nd week of February cold spell is still on. Can we count it down to the 0h?

Originally Posted by: Ally Pally Snowman 

It is? In reality the GEFS has been backing down (as per usual) on -10s for London, just 4 members of the 0z GEFS now have them. The rainbow continues to remain shimmering away in the distance, but it's fading a bit more each day.


Leysdown, north Kent
Ally Pally Snowman
29 January 2026 07:29:24

It is? In reality the GEFS has been backing down (as per usual) on -10s for London, just 4 members of the 0z GEFS now have them. The rainbow continues to remain shimmering away in the distance, but it's fading a bit more each day.

Originally Posted by: Retron 

GEM,  AIFS and ECM all better models all show a much better chance. 

Aifs very solid thiss morning 

https://www.wetterzentrale.de/en/show_diagrams.php?geoid=50893&model=aifs&var=2&run=0&lid=ENS&bw=1 


Bishop's Stortford 85m ASL.
Ally Pally Snowman
29 January 2026 07:30:57
nsrobins
29 January 2026 07:31:22

It is? In reality the GEFS has been backing down (as per usual) on -10s for London, just 4 members of the 0z GEFS now have them. The rainbow continues to remain shimmering away in the distance, but it's fading a bit more each day.

Originally Posted by: Retron 

The only rainbow I want now is in April under a stout CuNb with a lovely hail swath and some lightning. ‘Winter’ can do one.


Neil

Fareham, Hampshire 28m ASL (near estuary)

Stormchaser, Member TORRO

BJBlake
29 January 2026 07:37:18

According to the Met office on their 10 day forecast there is a 42% possibility of an Easterly by the end of next week. The presenter did mention that we’ve been here before this winter but this time there is a lot more support.

Originally Posted by: roadrunnerajn 

The normally Best at trend spotting - the GFS has very little support for the easterly resolutely modelled elsewhere. In fact just 3 pert’s have anything interesting for cold weather fans. Hmmm - I’m looking at my snowdrops and thinking - we might have had winter early, as would be normal for La Niña winters. Having said that, the Rex block was a near miss, and it was just those darn Americans with their cold plunge that scuppered an old fashioned winter.


Brecklands, South Norfolk 28m ASL
ballamar
29 January 2026 07:38:44
GEFS can obviously flip but their trend looks kind of ominous. Granted other output looks fairly promising for colder weather but GEFS looks like a dog with a bone. 

Rob K
29 January 2026 07:45:10

Feels like Groundhog day though.  Like looking at a mirage. Never gets any closer!  

Originally Posted by: The Beast from the East 

I cannot recall a winter that has consistently had such promising easterly-looking charts for so long without actually delivering anything. They have been ever present since at least Christmas but as you say it never gets any closer. 


Yateley, NE Hampshire, 73m asl

"But who wants to be foretold the weather? It is bad enough when it comes, without our having the misery of knowing about it beforehand." — Jerome K. Jerome

DPower
29 January 2026 07:47:24

I would suggest there is zero chance any model is currently factoring in a SSW that hasn’t even happened yet and may well likely not happen at all. It’s well into the SSW being underway before models even start to factor in ramifications to the weather at ground level  

Originally Posted by: Matty H 

If we are looking at a QTR (quick trop response which is looking very likely) then the NWP models will almost certainly be factoring the warming and GEOP height anomalies that are starting to take place now. Agreed about the split, with both models ( gfs and ec ) are both on board with, we may not see the affects of that being shown in the models even with a  QTR for several more days. 

GFS 06z run not very good this morning, but the evolution of where we are headed is quite clear when taking into account the other models input this morning. Expecting to see some very juicy charts by the end of the weekend if the split is looking more and more likely and is in a favourable position to the UK.

Brian Gaze
29 January 2026 08:18:16
My birthday is in mid-February, so it provides a focal point in much the same way Christmas does for the weather. It feels like a switch was flipped a few decades ago, turning the period from “deep winter” into “early spring”. There will, of course, be exceptions, and this year may be one of them. However, more often than not the horse hasn’t bolted by February, but it is bolting.
Brian Gaze

Berkhamsted

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DEW
  • DEW
  • Advanced Member
29 January 2026 08:41:16
FAX - as yesterday, a broad trough of LP stretches from S of Greenland to the eastern Mediterranean, with centres of LP anchoring each end and occasional disturbances for Britain in the middle (Sat 31st, 982mb Devon). By Mon 2nd the eastern end of this trough has filled, and the western end is slipping SE-wards to Biscay with 982mb and SE-lies spreading across Britain. 

GFS - differs from FAX after the weekend as it shows the Scandi HP extending S-wards, cutting the trough in two, and setting up the familiar situation of S-lies for Britain between LP to the west and HP to the east for the w/b  Sun 1st, with the LP often taking nibbles at W Britain. Only on Mon 9th does the LP shift SE-wards into Biscay 990mb with weak E-lies for Britain, these E-lies originating in the Med, not the cold east/northeast. At the end of that week, Fri 13th, the Azores high takes a hand and pushes up from the south. 

ECM - somewhat like GFS but the LP after Sun 1st instead of plaguing NW Scotland is situated further S, off S Ireland so the wind is more from the SE than the S. Although the LP does move into Biscay Mon 9th, development after that is quite different from GFS as HP appears over Iceland and LP deepens over Scandinavia - by Fri 13th Britain is under strong cold N-lies and the Azores high is not to be seen.

AIFS - London, maxima holding up at 8C to Wed 4th then dropping smartly to 3C with wind going round N-ly; rain, rather than snow at frequent intervals. Edinburgh, from a starting 5C  down to 3C as above, more rain and heavier.

GEFS - mean and most ens members close to norm until Mon 9th, then ens spread out, op & control colder, balanced by other ens members, some quite mild. Small amounts of rain at any time, snow unlikely. but possible on E coast and in Scotland.

Newspapers still have this fixation on WX charts with heavy  widespread snow on Feb 3rd and 10th. 


War is God's way of teaching Americans geography - Ambrose Bierce

Chichester 12m asl

Arbroath 1320
29 January 2026 08:48:16
ECM has been consistent for several runs now, showing some kind of cold incursion from the East, in the 2nd week of February. The AI models (as a whole), continue to show a similar outlook.

GFS during that time has flip flopped, as have the other models to varying degrees. 

While I do like a bet occasionally, I certainly wouldn't be putting any money on the ECM and AI's being correct. Far too much uncertainty on what the Atlantic is going to throw at us, between now and then. 


Kenmore, Highland Perthshire, GGTTH

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