A taste of winter mid month A downward trend in temperature looks set to take place through the early part of January. Despite the storm, unsettled start, January is probably going to become cold. There is the possibility of a taste of winter mid month with many places seeing some snow. Confidence is considered moderate at this time. *......4/1/14* Staying unsettled and windy through the week. The winds will be to severe gale force at times and the rain may be heavy enough to cause localised flooding. Despite being relatively mild at first, temperatures will likely turn cooler during the second half of the week. *5/1/14 to 11/1/14* The flow is expected to be turning more northwesterly through this week. Temperatures will be falling slowly, but steadily, with all places feeling colder. There will be rain or showers, this turning increasingly to snow over high ground, especially in Scotland, northern England and Wales. Towards the end of the week pressure builds west of the country with drier weather moving in here, whilst the east continues to see showers. *12/1/14......18/1/14* Temperatures continue to fall through this week. The winds turning more north to north-easterly. There is an increasing risk of sleet and snow across eastern and southern parts of the country. Scotland, Ireland and most of Wales and northwest England may stay cold but dry with some sunny spells. Wintry conditions could persist in the south and east for a time. Daytime temperatures around 2 or 3C in southern England, 1 or 2C in Scotland with some very sharp overnight frosts. *19/1/14......25/1/14* A cold and wintry start to the week with more sleet and snow, again most to the south and east, if it occurs. Severe frosts to the north and west, with these tending to become more widespread across all areas as the week progresses. *26/1/14......1/2/14* Hints of a battle developing through this week. Milder, Atlantic air will be moving against the colder air through the UK and Ireland. Where these two features meet, probably through Ireland, Wales and southern England, there is the threat of some wintry weather. Milder weather should eventually arrive in the south and west later in the week, but it is likely to be remaining cold in the north and east with more wintry weather to the north. Simon & Capn Bob Email me at simon.keeling@weatheronline.co.uk