Saturday
Rain in southeast England through Saturday morning, although this clearing to the east. Winds decreasing everywhere. Scattered showers for much of England and eastern Wales, with heavier showers for western Wales and western coasts. Further heavy showers in western Scotland. The afternoon sees further showers around the west and south coasts of Ireland, with more persistent showers into Wales, central and western parts of England, perhaps turning to more persistent rain later. More eastern areas should be drier with sunny spells, although always a threat of a shower. Temperatures peaking at 12C in the southeast, colder air following to the north and west with highs at 7C in Belfast.
Saturday night
There is a chance of a period of heavy rain across the southern half of England and Wales this evening, with the winds gusting to 70mph. Current indications are that this clears into the North Sea after midnight with drier weather following, but not before there is a risk of flooding. Most western coasts of Wales, England and Scotland will have a few showers overnight, although it should become drier away further inland. By the end of the night winds will be increasing in western Ireland with more rain returning here. Lows at 3C over sheltered parts of northern England, 6C in the windier areas of southern Ireland.
New Years Eve
Winds gusting to 90mph over Ireland and spreading into northwest England, Wales and southern Scotland early on Sunday. Heavy rain will be through these areas, as well as reaching southwest England.The strongest winds pass through northern England and southern Scotland in the afternoon as the heavy rain affects most of the UK. Brighter, more showery conditions, together with heavy showers, will be following through Ireland and into the western coasts of England, Wales and Scotland later. The winds should ease in time for the New Year celebrations, although it will stay windy. Highs at 8 to 12C.
New Years Day
A bright but breezy start to 2007. The morning is likely to be one of sunny spells and mainly dry weather, although showers will be affecting western coasts, some of them heavy. The showers wintry over the high ground of Scotland. In the afternoon a period of more persistent, heavier showers seems set to move through Ireland and then into the western UK. More eastern areas of England and Scotland stay drier, although even here the risk of a shower. A cooler day at 5 to 9C.