Monday 22/09/03 to Tuesday 23/09/03
A marked change in the weather across many parts during Monday, as a cold front plunges southwards. During the morning, spells of heavy rain will spread across much of Wales, Northern England and the north Midlands. After a dry, bright morning, this rain will cross the rest of England during the afternoon, clearing into the Channel after dark. Behind the rain, skies will be brighter, but strong northerly winds will blast down across the UK and Ireland, making it feel much cooler with highs only in the mid teens Celsius. A chilly evening and night, leading into a bright but cold Tuesday morning. Much of the day will remain dry and sunny across many parts of the country, although the stiff north-westerly wind will make it feel very cool. Parts of eastern Scotland and England will see scattered showers filtering down the coast, perhaps a little wintry over the highest mountains of Scotland. High pressure building from the west will result in another clear, cold night.

Wednesday 24/09/03 to Thursday 25/09/03
High pressure dominating across most parts during Wednesday, so a fine, sunny day is in store. This sunshine will be unbroken in places after early mist or fog has cleared. The exception to this fine weather will be Scotland and later Northern Ireland, as strong westerly winds drive weather fronts across the north during the afternoon. The rain may become heavy in places, especially over the western coasts and mountains. Another cold, clear night in the south, but milder in the north with plenty of wind and rain. Cloud and increasingly patchy rain will spread southwards during Thursday, reaching north Wales and northern England by mid afternoon. For the rest of England and Ireland, another fine day with good spells of sunshine - feeling a little warmer with lighter winds. For Scotland and Northern Ireland, a day of sunny spells and frequent, heavy showers, possibly with hail over high ground.

Friday 26/09/03 to Sunday 28/09/03
Another blast of northerly winds are expected on Friday, as low pressure pulls away to the north-east. Much of Scotland will have a wet morning with heavy rain at times. Some showers will feed down eastern coasts of England as well, possibly isolated showers in North Wales. Elsewhere, sunny spells will dominate the afternoon, although feeling decidedly cold everywhere. The weekend is currently a little uncertain, although it does seem at present that high pressure will become well established once again. This will translate into fine, settled weather for all, becoming increasingly warm again in southern parts by Sunday. As ever, more detail in the next weekly update.