A rather hurried and slightly less detailed forecast than I’d have liked this week due to on-going computer problems – which should hopefully be solved by next week when I get my current antique steam-driven laptop replaced with a new-fangled one     So apologies in advance for any inaccuracies!

Friday 9th January - Monday 12th January 2009

High pressure over the UK declines and moves east as a deep depression near Iceland comes to dominate our weather, bring wet, windy and milder conditions to all parts through the course of the weekend.

Starting dry in most parts on Friday 9^th with some sunshine likely across Eastern parts of Scotland and down into the Cheviots but more generally rather foggy elsewhere.  Some light rain and hill fog affecting hills across the Hebrides and NW Scotland at times, chiefly towards coasts and here it will be start to become rather windy with southwesterlies picking up through the day, probably reaching gale force around coasts and over summits by evening.  Across England and Wales it will be another very cold day with low level temperatures in places struggling to get above freezing, especially where fog lingers.  A little warmer in Scotland, especially towards the NW – though here the wind will temper things somewhat.

Things start to change on Saturday 10^th as fronts begin pushing in to the northwest, bringing heavy rain accompanied by gale force winds and much milder air eventually down across most parts of the country.

The North and West Highlands bear the brunt of the weather initially with low cloud, some heavy spells of rain likely and severe gales over summits.  Burns in spate.  Rain may be sleaty over hills with some wet snow over higher summits.  These conditions working steadily south and east through the day to affect all parts of Scotland by evening.  The South Uplands, expecially central and eastern parts and the East Highlands as well As Cumbria and the North Pennines all seeing high cloud increasing through the day ahead of this rain.  England and Wales should remain dry though and with variable cloud breaking above summits; some mist and fog in the valleys again.  And still on the chilly side here with the Southern Pennines, Wales and SW Moors especially in for another rather cold day after quite a severe overnight frost.

By Sunday 11^th the milder air – and wind and rain – will be pushing further south and east into England and Wales.  South and East Wales and the SW Moors still hanging on to some colder, drier, conditions (here another frosty start) but North Wales and Northern England will see cloud lowering over hills and rain pushing in by lunchtime.  Winds strengthening by now in all parts away from the SE of England with severe gales likely in the far NW and storm force winds over Highland summits.

Monday 12^th will see the rain finally push in across the SW Moors, the rest of Wales and the Peak District, with more showery conditions affecting the Highlands.  All parts on the cloudy side and whilst milder than of late, no especially feeling so in the wind and rain.

Rain clears away on Tuesday but with more fronts pushing in from the west on Wednesday as the Atlantic comes to dominate our weather.  Foreseeable future looking very unsettled with plenty of wind and rain – plus snow over hills.  Indeed, though generally milder the next week or so than it has been, we could at times see some decent snowfalls not only over the Highlands but upland areas elsewhere as well.

For more specific, up to date, weather details please visit The Mountain Weather Information Service website provided by Geoff Monk.

Met Office Mountain Forecasts are also available for the Highlands, Lake District and Wales.

Latest snow conditions and avalanche reports for the Highlands available from SAIS

Note: this is a personal interpretation of likely weather conditions on the UK hills and is intended for general guidance purposes only. Local conditions may vary and changes may occur suddenly and without warning. Extreme caution should always be exercised when venturing into the hills

TOI 13.00 BST – 8^th January 2009

Forecast by Andy Mayhew for Ukww

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