After a sub-zero start, families across Britain were advised to expect a clear Bonfire Night tonight.
According to the Met Office, most of the UK will have ‘decent conditions’ to watch fireworks tonight. However, there will be rain in some parts of western Scotland and along a few coasts and hills in north-western England.
It comes after a cold start to this morning, with temperatures dropping to -5C in southern England and to -3C in the North. This makes it the fourth consecutive week when the mercury is below freezing.
Three days ago, temperatures were sub-zero at Bridgefoot in Cumbria yesterday and Hurn in Hampshire Wednesday. On Tuesday, it was -1.7C (28.9F), Benson in Oxfordshire Tuesday and -1.8C (27.5F).
The below-average temperatures that were observed this week will likely continue through the month. Forecasters predict that high pressure near Greenland could push colder air towards the UK, pushing it to the North.
This weekend, 80mph winds will batter Scotland as the worst storm of Autumn blows in from Atlantic. The winds will make it dangerous for coastal areas as they coincide with spring tides and lashing the seafronts with high waves.
There is potential disruption to roads, trains and ferries, as well as air travel. Tomorrow’s heavy rain is expected to cause further disruption. Later in today, winds will pick-up in the North and North East regions of Scotland. The Met Office is issuing a Weather Warning.
Runners have a frosty start this morning at Richmond Park, South West London, as temperatures drop below zero
This morning, sunrise in Dunsden, Oxfordshire on a cold and frosty day
Sunrise at Bournemouth at the Dorset Coast this morning as it begins another cold November day
Today will be a frosty day in central and southern regions. The morning will be clear of mist and any early fog will clear. The day will then be mostly dry and dull with cloudy skies. The best of the sunshine will be in the eastern areas.
The North and West will experience breezy conditions today, with some drizzle or light rain. However, it will be dry before tonight. There will be patches of mist soon returning and there will be variable amounts cloud.
Overnight will be mainly overcast with thick cloud cover and outbreaks of rain will spread into Scotland and Northern Ireland and will be locally heavy – and a few spots of drizzle are possible elsewhere.
Met Office meteorologist Aidan McGivern said: ‘Another widespread frosty one for the south of England, perhaps South Wales as well – with temperatures in rural spots below freezing, but frost-free further north.’
The UK’s lowest temperatures were recorded at -5C (23F) in Benson, Oxfordshire, and at Topcliffe, North Yorkshire (27F).
McGivern stated today would be bright, with some breaks from the cloud, and some sunny spells coming through central and eastern areas.
He also mentioned how there would be thicker clouds for western Scotland, Northern Ireland and North West England, North Wales, and a few light showers of rain, mostly on higher ground and along the coast.
He added: ‘As that cloud arrives it also contains some milder air and so, all in all, a slightly less cold day compared to Thursday – 11C to 13C – the difference marked across the North Sea coast, which will have lost that biting wind.
“Into Friday evening, decent Bonfire Night conditions – it looks as though most places will be dry, with some rain affecting the West of Scotland and a few spots on the north-western coasts, but it’s mostly dry with clear spells of wind and generally light winds.
The Met Office has issued severe weather warnings for 80mph winds in Scotland this weekend
He said, “That’s all going change though as low pressure nears Friday night.” The warm front initially bringing the thicker cloud and light outbreaks of rain, but the cold front brings heavier rain and then following that… some strong winds later on Saturday.’
Tomorrow morning, the mist will lift and clear quickly. The day will be cloudy with rain falling southwards across Scotland, Northern Ireland, and heavy rain in the western areas. Rain will fall in northern England and North Wales by the afternoon.
McGivern stated that it was a wet start as the cold front pushes into northern Ireland and western Scotland on Saturday morning. Heavy rain, heavy rainfall for a while – large amounts of rainfall building up for western Scotland. Then the wet weather sinking to south western Scotland and North West England by lunchtime.
‘To South, breezier with a bit more cloud about but still some breaks within the cloud, plenty fine weather through Saturday to the South and South East. As the rain falls south, winds pick up on Saturday – gales and severe gales are expected for the western and northern coasts of Scotland. The wind will blow in a slightly different direction, so temperatures will be higher at 11C to 13.
At the dawn of this morning, electricity towers can be seen over Wimbledon, South West London.
This morning, a clear and freezing dawn in Gravesend, Kent.
Sunday will be sunny and dry with occasional sunshine. However, cloud cover will vary in western Britain. Monday will be dry and sunny with some drizzle and rain in the west. However, cloud will develop across Scotland and Northern Ireland.
According to the Met Office’s outlook for November’s first half, it states that ‘Blustery showers may be possible in the far east or northeast at the beginning of the period, but these are quickly clearing. Otherwise, there will be plenty of dry, fine weather with long periods of sunshine.
‘Feeling colder at first, with frosts possible, particularly in the north. Rain and thicker clouds will then gradually encroach from west. Low pressure areas to the north or north of the UK will bring unsettled conditions. These conditions will mainly affect the north and west with heavy rain and strong winds, followed by cooler, showery interludes.
The southeast is where the strongest rain bands are likely to be weakest, and it is likely that the southeast will have the driest and most brightest weather. The average temperature is around the mid-point of this period, with a few cold spells.
The Met Office has this to say about the period November 18-December 2. It says that there is a greater chance of wintry showers coming from the north and northwest. These showers will occur initially on higher ground, but then decrease in intensity as the month progresses.
While there isn’t much evidence of sustained, widespread settled weather, conditions are likely less stormy and windy. With temperatures slightly lower than the average, frost and fog are more common in areas where there are more settled spells. Overall, it is still drier than the average.
BBC Weather’s forecast for this period stated that: “Moving into November, we should notice an overall colder pattern start to take shape.” It said that high pressure near Greenland would help direct colder air towards the UK, resulting in a period of below-normal temperatures.
The winds will decrease as the Greenland High becomes more established and occasionally extends towards Northern Europe. Low pressure is still expected to be close by so this doesn’t look to be a very dry pattern. However, it is unlikely to become extremely wet.