Here is a summary of the latest NWP output for noon on Thursday. Issued
0643z, 11/01/04.

ECMWF: http://www.wetterzentrale.de/pics/Recm1201.html
Westerlies cover the UK, with low pressure to the north of Scotland and a
trough over SW England. The winds become NW'lies and NNW'lies at T+144 as
the low moves ESE'wards and fills. A new low has moved northwards to the
west of Iceland and by T+168 the low sinks SE'wards over England, with
northerlies and NE'lies to the north.

MetO: http://www.wetterzentrale.de/pics/Rukm1201.html
The Met Office run shows NW'lies for all due to low pressure over
Scandinavia. A new low moves ESE'wards to lie to the west of Scotland at
T+144, bringing westerlies for most and northerlies for northern Scotland.

GFS: http://expert.weatheronline.co.uk/
A westerly flow covers the UK, as the result of low pressure to the north of
Scotland and another west of Ireland. The latter deepens over England at
T+144, while the former sinks southwards and fills over Scotland, bringing
light winds there. 850hPa temperatures vary from -2C over northern England
to +1C over SE England. NW'lies cover the UK at T+144 as a weak ridge moves
over Ireland, followed by cyclonic winds for many as a low sinks SE'wards
over England and Scotland at T+168.

GEM: http://www.meteocentre.com/models/glb00_120.html
The Canadian run shows westerlies for most with a weak ridge over England
and Wales. 850hPa temperatures vary from -2C over NW Scotland to +1C over SW
England. The westerlies continue for most at T+144, with lows to the west,
north and NE of the UK.

JMA: http://www.wetterzentrale.de/pics/Rjma1201.html
The Japanese run places a secondary low to the west of Ireland, leading to
NW'lies and WNW'lies for the UK. 850hPa temperatures range from -3C over NW
Scotland to -1C over SW England. The winds become NNW'lies at T+144 as the
secondary low moves over central Europe. A trough lies to the west of
Scotland at T+168, bringing SSE'lies to Scotland and westerlies elsewhere.
By day 8 a ridge from the Azores High covers the UK, with light winds for
most (Northern Ireland lies under southerlies).

In summary, the models today differ with regards to the intensity of the
Azores High ridge towards the end of next week, meaning that some develop a
northerly spell more than the others. Whatever happens, it doesn't look like
become especially cold now, suggesting any snow is more likely to fall over
hills and mountains than lower levels. As ever, more runs are needed.