Forecast valid for Sunday 08/12/02 to Saturday 14/12/02 TOI Friday 06/13/02 1400 GMT. Based on AVN/GFS, GME, UKMO, NWS and ENS labelled model.

A truly wintry week ahead with severe frosts for most of the day after Monday and several inches of snow likely on higher grounds above 200 to 300m (700 to 1000 ft) especially in parts of the south, eastern England and Scotland. Maybe milder again in the southwest next weekend.

An very strong high (core pressure above 1055 mbar) which has settled over Scandinavia will dominate the weather this week, slowly extending westward towards Iceland. This will block Atlantic low pressure systems from entering the British Isles. However an increasingly cold easterly airflow of arctic continental air will increase wind chill and trigger severe inland frosts. All precipitation on higher ground (above 300m) is likely to fall as snow. Severe sharp frost will occur, wherever overnight clear spells develop. Eastern areas generally more cloudy than the west.

Sunday will see the first wintry showers to affect the eastern Scotland and. Elsewhere a good mixture of rain, snowy rain, sleet or snow. Monday sleet and snow possible for many parts of England, Wales and Scotland. Driftig likely on higher ground in the north. Drier and somewhat brighter over the far west. Tuesday will be even colder, but also turning soewhat drier with bright spells. Moderate to fresh frosty easterly winds.

Wednesday and Thursday, cold with generally bright and sunny conditions and some pertinacious low cloud and snow grains along eastern areas. Getting very cold overnight with severe frost, especially over snow cover.

Friday and Saturday will probable see some milder conditions pushing in from southwest, whiel northeastern regions might stay cold.