Rayleigh (Essex) weather

Headline:

Variable cloud, some brighter spells possible Monday. Mostly dry.

This Evening and Tonight:

Largely cloudy but dry overnight, although a few cloud breaks are likely at times. Some patchy mist and fog may develop where any breaks linger. Staying rather mild with light winds. Minimum temperature 4 °C.

Monday:

Any mist and fog patches clearing. A day of variable cloud with some brighter spells and mainly dry, although the odd spot of rain possible in the far west. Mild. Maximum temperature 10 °C.

Outlook for Tuesday to Thursday:

Often cloudy with further rain at times, although turning brighter Tuesday. Daytime temperatures near average. Winds strengthening Wednesday. Thursday, windier with outbreaks of rain, perhaps colder.

Throughout this period, the UK will see a battle between Atlantic weather systems attempting to push in from the west while high pressure and colder, drier conditions attempt to exert some influence from the east. Initially, milder Atlantic air is expected to dominate for most parts, with showers or longer spells of rain. Temperatures are likely to be around or a little above average, except in the far northeast where it is likely to be colder with some sleet or snow. There is then an increased chance that conditions will turn more widely colder and drier. This aspect of the forecast is still somewhat uncertain but the potential transition to colder weather also increases the chance of snow across parts of the country.

Initially, slowly evolving weather patterns are most likely in the vicinity of the UK, with low pressure typically to the west or southwest and high pressure to the northeast. This configuration brings an increased chance of cold conditions affecting the UK, and the associated risk of wintry hazards at times. Deeper into February, whilst confidence is naturally low, there may be a transition to more widely unsettled conditions and a corresponding recovery in temperature back closer to average.