The Met Office has said a colder outbreak could affect most of the UK next week, with wintry showers possible in some areas. The forecaster warned that colder conditions will first begin in the north but spread "to much of, if not all of the UK". It added that the nature of the colder outbreak, which could arrive towards the end of next week, is "very uncertain".
Colder conditions to spread from the north
Some wintry showers could briefly cover the north of the country, while the south is expected to remain largely dry. However, the Met Office said that early next week there is a "greater chance" that the southern half of the UK will become milder and wetter "for a time". Meanwhile, the north is more likely to remain drier during the same period.
The Met Office forecast for November 9 to November 18 reads: "High pressure begins to migrate away to the east allowing frontal systems to attempt to progress into the UK from the southwest, although exactly how much progress into the UK this makes is uncertain."
Weekend and early week outlook
"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 to much of, if not all of the UK, but while the nature of this colder outbreak is very uncertain, it could bring some wintry showers to the northern UK briefly, with the south trending drier once again."
This weekend is likely to bring "cloud, sunshine and isolated showers" but also patchy fog at times. According to the Met Office, Monday brings an "increasing risk" of rain in the south and "brighter spells" further north.
What are wintry showers?
The Met Office said wintry showers could cover northern parts of the UK next week. According to Netweather, the term refers to variable precipitation consisting of rain, freezing rain, sleet or snow. The phrase can also relate to precipitation during the winter season, meaning "cool, chilly, cold, frosty, associated with winter, not summer". The vagueness of "wintry showers" can prove useful to forecasters, despite the confusion it can cause.
Netweather said: "The actual transition from rain to sleet to snow is a pain when forecasting. Our moderate climate keeps us on our toes. We have spells of proper rain, sometimes proper snow but not often."
"Most of the time it's those wet flurries, damp slush and maybe a dusting in the morning which quickly disappears. Using the phrase 'wintry' covers quite a lot. Sleet is not a strict meteorological term, it is rain and snow mixed."
