Here is a summary of the NWP output for noon on Thursday.
Issued 0535, 10th January 2010.

The cold spell is coming to a gradual end in the south at least, further
north it's likely to carry on for another week to 10 days. The end of the
working week will see low pressure to the south of the UK and keen easterly
winds, although by then it's unlikely to be cold enough for snow for much of
England - and where it *is* cold enough, snow is less likely as it'll be
further from the low's frontal systems. SE'lies then pick up over the
weekend, drawing relatively mild air over the UK compared to recently.

Analysis and evolution to T+120 via GFS
Strong NE'lies cover the UK, with high pressure to the NE. Tomorrow ENE'lies
affect the UK, as the high moves westwards. SE'lies move over the UK on
Tuesday as a low approaches from the SW, followed by further SE'lies on
Wednesday as trough disruption occurs to the SW.

T+120 synopsis
http://91.121.93.17/pics/Rtavn12015.png /
http://91.121.93.17/pics/Rtavn1201.png
http://91.121.93.17/pics/Rukm1201.gif
http://91.121.93.17/pics/Recm1201.gif /
http://www.meteociel.fr/modeles/nogapse_cartes.php
The jetstream chart shows a strong and zonal jet to the south of the UK,
with a weaker northerly branch heading over Iceland. At the 500hPa level the
UK lies under a col. ECM also shows the UK under an upper col, as does MetO.
GEM brings an upper trough over the south with easterlies aloft, while JMA
also has a trough over the south.
At the surface, GFS brings easterlies with a low to the south. ECM has a col
and light winds, while MetO also shows a low to the south with easterlies or
ENE'lies. GEM brings ENE'lies and a low over western France, while JMA has a
deeper low over Biscay and easterlies for the UK.

Evolution to T+168
ECM shows a col on day 6 and by day 7 strong SE'lies, with high pressure to
the NE.
GFS brings SE'lies on day 6 as a trough approaches from the south. On day 7
the SE'lies reach gale force, with low pressure to the west.

Looking further afield
ECM shows easterlies on days 8 to 10 as low pressure moves eastwards over
southern Europe.
GFS has a low over the UK on day 8, which fills and becomes a trough over
Scotland on day 9. Day 10 sees a low to the SW and SE'lies for all.

Ensemble analysis
(http://91.121.94.83/modeles/gens/gra...ille=Lond res)
The GFS ensembles show three cold days followed by a general warming.

ECM ensembles
http://www.meteogroup.co.uk/uk/home/..._forecast.html
ECM shows daytime highs gradually rising after midweek, with the operational
being a marked cold outlier.