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Friday starts with a widespread frost in central and eastern counties. In the west there are outbreaks of rain. Through the day rain pushes eastwards and on its leading edge snow is likely. Northern Scotland as well as eastern and central southern England remain mainly dry. In Northern Ireland and the south west drier conditions return this afternoon.

Most of the country has a cold day. Temperatures widely range from 3C (36F) in the north to 6C (42F) in the south, but the south west will be milder. See the rain radar for the latest view.

Meteo France Arpege, temperatures, 15:00 GMT Fri 18th January

Tonight patchy outbreaks of rain continue in much of England and Wales. At times they become quite heavy and some of them fall as snow, especially over high ground in the north. However in southern and central regions they increasingly turn back to rain. Areas to the north of the precipitation have a widespread frost.

Forecast short cuts

Monthly forecast update

Winter 2018/19 forecast [Issued 01/12/2018]

Buzz

Tomorrow morning there will be showery rain in southern and central counties. Over high ground there could be some sleet and wet snow. The wet weather gradually moves away southwards during the course of the day. Elsewhere it will be mostly dry with the brightest conditions in Scotland. Most of the country stays cold but in the south west, Wales and Northern Ireland it will be milder.

GFS, temperatures, 15:00 GMT Sat 19th January

Cold period ahead

Sunday looks dry and bright in much of the country. However, thicker cloud brings some patchy rain, sleet and snow to the north and west. It remains rather cold.

The cold theme continues next week and probably intensifies. On Monday a band of rain pushes southeastwards and probably turn increasingly to sleet and snow on its back edge. Tuesday brings the risk of showery snow to much of the country, although the details are very uncertain.

During the middle part of the week a cold or very cold easterly flow is favoured. Sleet and snow showers are likely, particularly in northern and eastern counties.

In the longer term it is expected to stays cold. Nighttime frosts become widespread and all regions could see snow at times.

GFS  pressure and 500hPa heights, 15:00 GMT Wed 23rd January

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