Saturday’s area of low pressure has been a quite small feature, tracking across central-northern England, bringing temperatures of 10 to 13C across the Midlands and south, but highs of just 3 and 4C in northern counties of England, also Scotland. 

The frontal zone in between has brought prolonged heavy rain, and also snow over the higher routes of the Pennines, with some significant accumulations for some.

The story going forwards is one of very mild air sweeping in from the Atlantic as we move through the week ahead, so expect balmy values of 12 to possibly 15C across much of Britain after midweek.

The 16th through 20th December looks likely to see periods of rain and strong south to south-westerly winds to the west and north-west once again too. The south-east looks drier throughout, and generally very mild.

After that it becomes more interesting, and here at Weatherweb, regular viewers will know we have been looking at a cooler final third to December for some time. Initially, it looks unsettled at least, with low pressure in charge in the few days up to the 25th.

Currently we are looking at how developments over north-east Canada and Greenland play out about a week from now, which will help dictate our festive weather. There is a lot of cold air in this region, which is trying to get into the north Atlantic weather patterns.

Basically, rather than a blocking easterly pattern, this means chillier weather approaching the UK from the west or north-west. If today’s system is any evidence, it shows how colder air just to the north of a depression track can easily produce snowfalls, whilst to the south it is widespread rain. Imagine this low 100 miles further south, and the air within it slightly colder, and you can see how snow can become more widespread.

Now, that’s NOT A FORECAST, but it’s the sort of weather set-up we may have to content with approaching the Christmas period. One to watch!