The Met Office has responded to claims that a 'big freeze' is set to hit the UK this month, with 'snow flurries' being reported on the horizon. The UK weather agency said the forecast is characteristic of an 'unsettled and occasionally murky November period', rather than a significant early-season freeze.
Forecast for November 9-18
The news of possible snow was reported in the Met Office's long range forecast for the UK for the period between November 9 and 18. The agency explains that the current area of high pressure will begin to move away from the UK, allowing colder weather to come in.
The forecast states that toward the end of next week we may start to see some colder conditions spread from the north, with 'very uncertain wintry showers' briefly hitting the northern parts of the UK.
Met Office update on Friday's weather
In an update issued about the forecast for Friday (November 6), the Met Office states: "There will be showers across northern parts of the UK on Thursday night, especially in locations exposed to the easterly wind. However, the forecast provided does not point towards a widespread outbreak of wintry weather."
Friday brings another largely cloudy day, with many places staying dry. Some rain or drizzle is possible, particularly over higher ground in the north, while outbreaks of rain are likely to move north-westwards across parts of England and Wales. "In the southwest, showers could be heavy at times, particularly around the coasts, with an isolated thunderstorm possible. Temperatures will remain close to the seasonal average."
Some forecasters have claimed a 'big freeze' is set to hit the UK next week. However, the Met Office has said the forecast is characteristic of an 'unsettled and occasionally murky November period', rather than a significant early-season freeze, it adds. At the moment there is 'little support' in the forecast for widespread disruptive snow or exceptionally cold conditions.
Longer term forecast and outlook
In its longer term forecast, for Tuesday (November 10) to Thursday (November 19), the Met Office states: "High pressure begins to migrate away to the east allowing frontal systems to progress into the UK from the southwest, although exactly how much progress into the UK this makes is uncertain."
"However there is a greater chance that at least the southern half of the UK will see a change to milder and wetter conditions, at least for a time, while the north is more likely to remain drier. Toward the end of next week we may start to see some colder conditions spread from the north."
"While the nature of this colder outbreak is very uncertain, it could bring some wintry showers to the northern UK briefly. Thereafter, a transition towards a westerly flow is likely, bringing changeable conditions with rain more likely focused towards the north west."
Looking even further ahead at the second half of the month - between November 19 and December 3 - the Met Office says that "more unsettled conditions" are likely. The forecast reads: "During the second half of November, there is an increasing chance of changeable or more unsettled conditions developing, with spells of rain and the potential for strong winds at times."
"The extent and location of the wettest and windiest weather is very uncertain at this range, with northern and western areas generally most favoured, but there is a chance the wettest conditions could become more focussed across southern parts for a time."
"Towards the end of November, whilst confidence is very low in the overall weather patterns, there may be a tendency for the tracks of Atlantic lows to shift farther south. Temperatures are likely to be near or above average for much of the period, although colder interludes remain possible, perhaps more especially later in the period."
Before then though, this weekend is set to see a mixture of cloud, sunshine and isolated showers, with "patchy fog" at times, the Met Office says. In north west England, the weather will be "cool and cloudy" on Saturday, with the "odd shower". Sunday and Monday are set to be "pleasant" with plenty of autumnal sunshine, and some "frost and fog" overnight.
