The UK is set for a significant shift in weather conditions this weekend, as a week of snow and wintry hazards makes way for heavy rain and blustery winds. The cold snap that gripped the nation is finally ending for most areas.
From Frost to Fronts: A Milder but Unsettled Shift
The Met Office has confirmed a move towards milder, though more unsettled, weather patterns. This change will be driven by low pressure arriving from the Atlantic, which will introduce periods of rain and stronger winds across many parts of the country.
While temperatures are expected to remain on the cooler side, they are forecast to gradually return to levels more typical for late November. A Met Office spokesperson stated: “Snow is not forecast for the coming weekend. It will be turning less cold as low pressure arrives from the Atlantic, bringing a more unsettled picture with periods of rain and blustery winds.”
The spokesperson added that despite the general warming trend, “pockets of frost will still be possible overnight where skies remain clear.”
Lifting of Cold Health Alerts
This transition to milder conditions follows a week of widespread weather warnings. Significant Amber cold health alerts that were in effect for the North East, North West, and Yorkshire and the Humber are expected to be lifted on Saturday morning.
These amber alerts are issued when weather conditions could lead to significant impacts on health and social care services, including a potential rise in fatalities among vulnerable elderly people and increased demand on the NHS. Furthermore, Yellow cold health alerts for the East Midlands, West Midlands, East of England, London, South East, and South West will also be rescinded on Saturday. These had been active since Monday.
The change is welcome news after Britain experienced its coldest night of the autumn on Thursday, with temperatures plunging to a frigid -11.7°C at Loch Glascarnoch in Scotland.
Your Weather Outlook for the Coming Days
Here is the detailed Met Office forecast for the UK:
Saturday
Rain will gradually clear the southeast. Drier and brighter conditions will follow for a time, but further showery rain will arrive in the west later in the day. It will feel slightly less cold for everyone.
Outlook for Sunday to Tuesday
The unsettled theme continues on Sunday and Monday with further spells of rain and showers. Some brighter spells are expected in between, with Tuesday likely to see more of these sunny intervals. It will be less cold, especially overnight, and often windy.
