Wednesday
A cold day with a strong west ot northwest flow affecting all parts of the UK and Ireland. There will be wintry showers to the north and west with more eastern and southern areas tending to be drier and brighter with sunny spells. Into the late afternoon and evening a deepening area of low pressure will arrive in western Ireland bringing severe gales and heavy rain across much of Ireland in the evening. Highs at 3 to 6C.

Wednesday Night
A deep depression crosses southern Scotland and northern England tonight, pushing an area of severe gales and heavy rain eastwards. Winds could gust to over 60mph in much of England, Wales and Ireland. Snow is likely over the hills over northern England and southern Scotland, and perhaps even to lower levels. Drier and cooler weather following to northern and western Scotland as well as Ireland and western parts of the UK later. Lows at 0 to 3C.

Thursday
Morning rain, with sleet and snow in parts of northern England and Scotland, clears eastern areas quickly on Thursday morning as the associated area of low pressure moves away. Severe gales early on, but these winds moderating quickly. Following will be a more west to northwesterly flow with sunny spells and showers. The showers will be mainly around northern and western coasts and hills. More eastern areas tending to be drier with good spells of sunshine. After a briefly milder start to the morning in much of the country it will become cooler again. A fresh west wind for all with highs at 3 to 9C but turning cooler for most through the day.

Friday
Low pressure to the north of Scotland on Friday. The west to northwest wind brings cold conditions and wintry showers to the north and west. A further accumulation of snow is likely in places, especially in Scotland, northwest England and Northern Ireland. Drier in the east and south with sunny spells. Highs at 2 to 5C.