Friday 12/09/03 to Saturday 13/09/03
A glorious start across many parts on Friday, once early mist clears. Little change across much of England and Wales throughout the afternoon, with long sunny spells and temperatures in the low twenties Celsius. During the afternoon however, high cloud will increase from the west, becoming thicker across Ireland, Northern Ireland and western Scotland. Winds will become strong here, gales developing in the far north-west, and rain will spread in during the evening. Overnight, winds will strengthen further with heavy rain in north-west Scotland. A dry, cool night elsewhere away from the north and west. Saturday will be a day of contrast across the UK. Winds will have eased slightly in the north, but much of Ireland, Scotland and Northern England will be cloudy with rain at times. For the rest of England and Wales, another bright day with sunny spells, and temperatures in the south-east reaching the mid twenties Celsius. Cooler in the north and west.

Sunday 14/09/03 to Monday 15/09/03
The north-south split continuing during Sunday, with the summer in the south, autumn taking hold in the north. After early mist/fog has cleared, much of England and Wales will again have a bright day with sunny spells. Warm in the south, with highs well above the seasonal norm. A band of cloud and patchy rain will extend through Ireland, Northern England and Scotland. Across Northern Ireland and western Scotland, strong to gale force winds and plenty of heavy, squally showers. Overnight and into Monday, cloud will sink southwards reaching the Midlands and Wales by afternoon. Some patchy rain left on this front, but for the rest of England another fine, warm day. Much of Ireland, Scotland and Northern England will remain rather breezy, but winds lighter than of late. Further spells of rain can be expected anywhere here from time to time, becoming slow moving later in the day. Feeling cool here despite average temperatures for the time of year.

Tuesday 16/09/03 to Thursday 18/09/03
It is currently looking increasingly likely that the middle of next week will see very little change from the weekend. Low pressure and frontal systems will be directed to the north of the UK, bringing cloud and spells of rain to Scotland and Northern Ireland, and at times Ireland and Northern England. Winds will also be strong for much of the time, gales possible through the Irish Sea. For the rest of England and Wales, high pressure over France will keep conditions largely settled with sunny spells. With south-westerly winds, it will stay very warm in the south, cooler and fresher across the north. Although uncertain at the moment, Thursday may see a change as a more active low pressure system brings cloud and rain across all parts. However, based on the current blocking pattern in the south and on the basis of the weather over the past week, there is very low confidence in this at the moment. More details in the next update.