Sunday 01/02/04 to Monday 02/02/04
It will be a very wet day across much of Ireland and Northern Ireland on Sunday, with spells of heavy rain spreading from the west. England and Wales will start mostly dry, but the rain out to the west will spread in to many western parts of the mainland. At the same time, rain, turning increasingly to snow over the mountains will spread slowly northwards across Scotland, becoming confined to northern parts in the afternoon. Cold in the north, but very mild everywhere else. Winds will be strong however, with south-westerly gales around southern and western coasts. Overnight, rain will become heavier and more persistent across southern England, but elsewhere turning mostly dry. On Monday, winds will become very strong, with gales or even severe gales through the Irish Sea. A band of rain associated with a a warm front will sweep northwards across all parts, with further rain coming in across Ireland later, on a cold front. Very mild indeed in most places.

Tuesday 03/02/04 to Wednesday 04/02/04
Tuesday will be an extremely windy day once again, with the risk of gales or severe gales across western Scotland and Northern Ireland. A band of rain, sometimes heavy will slice the country in two, affecting much of northern England, the Midlands, Wales, and south-west England. South-east England should escape with a dry day, but elsewhere there will be heavy, thundery showers, with squally winds. Staying very mild once again, postively spring-like in sheltered south-eastern parts. Overnight, the rain will spread slighly northwards, with another band of heavier rain sweeping across much of Ireland. By Wednesday, the more persistent rain is expected to clear eastern parts towards midday. Thereafter a straight-forward run of westerly winds will bring a mixture of sunny spells and showers in across many parts. The showers will often be heavy, with the risk of hail and thunder. Staying very mild and very windy, although slightly less so than Tuesday.

Thursday 05/02/04 to Friday 06/02/04
On Thursday, much of Scotland, northern England and Northern Ireland will have sunny spells and frequent, squally showers, blown in on strong to gale force westerly winds. Central parts of England, along with much of Wales and Ireland will be brighter with sunny spells, and mostly dry. The far south of England will be rather cloudy, with rain in the English Channel often threatening more southern counties. Staying mild, but with lighter winds in the south. The rain will nudge northwards to reach the Midlands on Friday, some heavy . Elsewhere, it will become somewhat cooler after overnight rain has cleared, with blustery showers across Scotland turning wintry once again. More details in the next forecast update.