A band of rain, heavy and squally, will be moving south-eastwards this afternoon, between 1200 to 1700 hrs. This will lead to some minor surface water issues, with spray on the roads reducing visibility at times. There will be some strong to gale force south-westerly winds accompanying the heavy rain, with gusts up to 45-50mph, locally over 50mph in any exposure. Further blustery showers following on behind from the northwest this evening, with a strong westerly wind overnight, and gusts up to 45mph in any exposure. Road Surface Temperatures (RSTs) will remain above freezing. Thursday will generally be dry and bright, with sunny spells. Staying windy, although less so compared to recent days. Minimum RSTs plus 6.

Generally dry and bright on Thursday afternoon with perhaps some sunny periods. Probably becoming generally cloudy during the evening and overnight period, although a few clear periods are possible, especially later on in the night. RSTs are expected to hold a few degrees above freezing in most places, although a late dip is possible if the cloud does clear. Mostly dry but rather cloudy on Friday morning, but perhaps becoming sunnier later. Minimum RSTs plus 4.

Friday

Clearer and colder conditions spreading southwards during Friday afternoon. Occasional clear periods overnight but with a risk of bands of showers coming south in the developing north-westerly flow. These showers will fall as a mixture of rain, sleet and hail during the first half of the night, however some wet snow is possible in the heavier showers later in the night. A significantly colder night than during the autumn so far with RSTs falling close to or just below freezing quite widely, giving a risk of a few icy patches by the morning. Cold with sunny periods and a fresh northerly breeze on Saturday morning, with an ongoing risk of occasional hail, sleet and snow showers. Minimum RSTs zero.

Saturday

and

Sunday

Remaining cold on Saturday afternoon with sunny periods and occasional wintry flurries. A period of more general rain, sleet and snow possibly spreading south on Saturday night, clearing to leave a risk of icy stretches by Sunday morning. There is however considerable uncertainty regarding this feature. Staying cold on Sunday with largely dry conditions and sunny periods, although there will continue to be a risk of a few wintry flurries at first, this risk reducing later in the day. Dry on Sunday night with lengthy clear periods leading to a widespread frost as RSTs fall just below freezing by the end of the night. Staying dry and bright on Monday morning. Minimum RSTs minus 1.