Charts analysed are for T+96 hours - 12Z Thursday 18th December 2003
unless stated.

UKMetO:
SLP: http://www.wetterzentrale.com/pics/Rukm961.html
High pressure (1030mb) lies in the Mediterranean and ridges
northwestwards across Southern Britain and into the Atlantic. Low
pressure (980mb) lies to the east/northeast of Iceland, with another
low (990mb) out in the Atlantic. Winds across the country are mostly
light to moderate west/southwesterlies, strongest in the north. Many
parts will be mainly dry, but northern areas may see some rain at
times. Temperatures will be close to normal in most parts. Beyond this
high pressure continues to ridge northwestwards into the UK from the
European High, bringing mainly quiet and settled condtions.

GFS:
SLP: http://www.wetterzentrale.com/pics/Rtavn961.html
850hPa Temperatures: http://www.wetterzentrale.com/pics/Rtavn962.html
2m Temperatures: http://www.wetterzentrale.com/pics/Rtavn965.html
High pressure (1030mb) lies in the Mediterranean to the south of
Italy. Low pressure (980mb) lies to the east of Iceland, with another
low (990mb) out in the Atlantic. Winds across the country are mostly
light to moderate west/southwesterlies. Many parts will be mainly dry
but cloudier with some rain likely in the northwest. 850hpa
temperatures range from -3C in the north to +5C in the south. Forecast
2m temperatures are close to +9C or +10C in many areas. Beyond this
high pressure over Europe continues to ridge northwestwards into the
UK, bringing mainly settled condtions.

DWD:
SLP: http://www.wetter.com/home/img/sat/g...141200_096.gif
High pressure (1025mb) lies to the southeast of the UK over
Southeastern Europe. Low pressure (985mb) lies to the northeast of
Iceland, with another low (990mb) out in the Atlantic, and a weak low
(1010mb) close to Portugal. Winds across the country are mostly light
and variable. Many parts will be mainly dry, with perhaps some rain in
the northwest. Temperatures will be close to normal. Beyond this there
is little change for a time before high pressure builds to the
northwest of the UK, introducing much colder weather from the north.

NOGAPS:
SLP: http://www.wetter-zentrale.com/pics/Rngp961.html
850hPa Temperatu http://www.wetter-zentrale.com/pics/Rngp962.html
High pressure (1030mb) lies in the Mediterranean to the south of
Italy. Low pressure (985mb) lies to the northeast of Iceland, with
another low (985mb) in the Atlantic. Winds across the country are
mostly light to moderate west/southwesterlies. Many parts will be
mainly dry but perhaps some rain in the north. 850hPa temperatures
range from -2C in the northwest to +5C in the south. Temperatures will
be close to normal. Beyond this there is little change as high
pressure continues to ridge into the UK from continental Europe.

JMA:
SLP: http://www.wetterzentrale.com/pics/Rjma961.html
850hPa Temperatures: http://www.wetterzentrale.com/pics/Rjma962.html
High pressure (1030mb) lies over Italy, with another high (1025mb) in
the Atlantic to the south of Greenland. Low pressure (980mb) lies to
the northeast of Iceland, with another low (990mb) in the central
Atlantic. Winds across the country are mostly light to moderate
west/southwesterlies. Many parts will be mainly dry but perhaps some
rain and showers in the northwest. 850hPa temperatures range from -2C
in the northwest to +6C in the south. Temperatures will be close to
normal. Beyond this there is little change for a time before
conditions turn much colder from the north as pressure builds to the
northwest.

Canadian – T+72 hours for WEDNESDAY:
All charts: http://weatheroffice.ec.gc.ca/data/m...ast/478_50.gif
High pressure lies over Europe to the southeast of the UK. Low
pressure (977mb) lies close to Iceland, with another low (984mb) out
in the Atlantic. Winds across the UK are mostly light to moderate
south/southwesterlies. Most parts will be mainly dry and bright, but
cloudier in the northwest with some rain. Temperatures will be close
to normal, but chilly in the southeast.

Summary:
High pressure over Europe next week looks set to exert its influence
over the UK for much of the upcoming week as it ridges northwestwards.
Therefore many areas can expect a lot of dry and settled weather, with
some fog at night, with the exception of the northwest where it will
be cloudier with some rain at times. Towards next weekend there are
signs that pressure will build to the northwest of the UK, which may
bring some much colder weather down from the north.