Week ahead: Much milder by weekend - Occasional rain, Feb 15 - 09:51

Changeable outlook - showery north, drier south A cold few days ahead, before temperatures rise markedly by the weekend as south-westerly winds strengthen. Areas of rain, mostly affecting the north-west. Generally drier toward the south & east. For the weather for the next few days click here

Thursday 18/02/16 A slow moving front affects central & eastern Britain, keeping things chilly and dull. A band of precipitation may linger for several hours across the Midlands, east & northern England. Some uncertainty, but a risk of snow falling for several hours, particularly morning, which may give slushy accumulations to quite low levels. Brighter in Scotland, Wales & the west, isolated showers in far north-west. Staying chilly where rain/snow lingers, highs 3 to 6C.

Friday 19/02/16 Brighter across much of England, with some sunshine in the east. Fronts move off the Atlantic into the west & north of Britain, also Ireland. Rain on and off for Scotland, with snow over the mountains. Outbreaks of rain develop for Wales & north-west England through the day, and some showery bursts may spread to the Midlands by evening. Freshening west to south-westerly winds. Slightly milder, highs 5 to 8C.

Saturday 20/02/16 Further fronts extend across northern areas, bringing a risk of persistent rain to western hills of Scotland & north-west England. Drier toward the east and south of Britain. Brisk west to south-westerly winds. Largely cloudy. Much milder temperatures, widely reaching 10 to 12C, perhaps locally higher.

Sunday 21/02/16 Rain and strong winds affect the north & north-west as low pressure passes north of Scotland. Many central, southern & eastern areas should remain dry and bright. Some sunshine toward the south & south-east. Generally mild with south-westerly winds, highs 10 to 13C. Monday 22/02/16 A cold front passes south across the country, giving rain for a time. Showers follow, likely most widespread across Scotland, turning increasingly wintry over the Highlands. West to north-westerly winds, risk of gales in north. Cooler, highs 6 to 9C. Tuesday 23/02/16 A cool west to north-westerly pattern may bring a few bands of showers - snow on northern hills. Occasional sunshine in the south & east. Blustery winds. Highs 5 to 9C.

from Weather forecast weatheronline.co.uk http://ift.tt/1KQVQVN