It is going to be very mild this weekend with temperatures higher than they are in Rome and Madrid. While it will be warmer than average, there is also some rain around and it is only going to be short-lived.
The Met Office says that Friday morning saw the arrival of milder conditions in the west, and these will extend east across the rest of the country by Saturday morning. Weather maps are showing highs of 15°C in Cardiff, while it will be 13°C in Rome and 14°C in Madrid. For the latest Welsh news delivered to your inbox sign up to our newsletter
Chief meteorologist Matthew Lehnert said “By Saturday, the whole of the UK is in a milder airmass. There will be a fair amount of cloud around, with further rain arriving in the west later in the day. Another changeable day is expected on Sunday whilst remaining mild. By Monday, it will turn colder again with cloud and rain clearing south followed by showers which will fall as snow to lower levels in the far north.”
The Met Office forecast for Wales this weekend says: "Mild with a blanket of cloud bringing a rather grey day, with patchy rain and drizzle lingering across the higher ground and in the south. Some sunny spells in the east, though remaining overcast for many. Breezy in the west. Maximum temperature 15°C.
"Further outbreaks of rain spread eastwards through this evening, with heavier spells developing overnight. Overcast and rather breezy, with low cloud bringing hill fog in places, and very mild. Minimum temperature 11 °C."
Looking further ahead, it looks like the mild spell will be short-lived. The forecasting agency says that Tuesday will start with a widespread frost and potentially patchy fog in places. Rain will spread east later in the day or overnight into Wednesday, with some snow likely in places initially, mainly over high ground in Scotland and northern England.
The forecast for Wales says: "Turning colder next week, with a mixture of blustery showers interspersed with drier, sunnier interludes. Cold nights see the return of early morning frosts in rural parts."
Much of next week looks likely to remain unsettled, especially for northern and western parts of the UK. However, the Met Office says there are some signals on the horizon that the weather for the following week could once again become more settled.
The long-range UK forecast says: "Moving into the second week of December, there are signs of more settled weather developing more widely, especially across the south and southwest of the UK. This may well bring a spell of mainly dry conditions in these areas, probably with patchy overnight frost and fog. Any outbreaks of rain and wind in this period are more likely to affect the north. Temperatures will vary around average for December, with some milder and some colder days."
