Here is a summary of the latest NWP output for noon on Thursday. Issued
0653z, 18/01/04.

ECMWF: http://www.wetterzentrale.de/pics/Recm1201.html
High pressure lies to the SE of the Azores and over Scandinavia, with a
trough over England. This leads to WSW'lies for Scotland and Northern
Ireland, with NW'lies for SW England and Wales. The winds become westerlies
and WNW'lies at T+144 due to a weak ridge, followed by NW'lies for all at
T+168 with a low over the southern North Sea.

MetO: http://www.wetterzentrale.de/pics/Rukm1201.html
The Met Office run shows a ridge over the Celtic Sea bringing NW'lies to
England and Wales, with SW'lies elsewhere. Westerlies cover the UK at T+144
as low pressure deepens to the east of Iceland.

GFS: http://expert.weatheronline.co.uk/
The UK lies under a weak ridge, leading to westerlies for most. The ridge is
replaced by a shallow trough at T+144, again with westerlies for most.
850hPa temperatures range from -1C over Northern Ireland to +8C over SW
England. By T+144 a low lies to the west of Scotland, bringing SW'lies and
westerlies for the UK. A secondary low deepens over southern Scotland at
T+168, leading to westerlies and WSW'lies for much of the UK. Northern
Ireland lies under NW'lies, though and NW Scotland lies under NE'lies.
Westerlies once again cover the UK on day 8 as the lows fill, followed by
southerlies and SE'lies on day 9 from a deep low west of Ireland. The low
fills and moves ESE'wards along the English Channel on day 10, with
easterlies across the UK.

GEM: http://www.meteocentre.com/models/glb00_120.html
The Canadian run shows WSW'lies over the UK, with a ridge over France.
850hPa temperatures range from +1C over NE Scotland to +7C over SW England.
The winds become WSW'lies and SW'lies at T+144, with a trough to the NW of
Scotland.

JMA: http://www.wetterzentrale.de/pics/Rjma1201.html
A reough covers the UK, bringing southerlies to Scotland, westerlies to
Ireland and variable winds for much of England and Wales. 850hPa
temperatures range from -1C along the east coast of Scotland and England to
+3C over SW England. Westerlies cover the UK at T+144 as complex low
pressure surrounds Iceland. The winds fall light at T+168 as a secondary low
deepens to the south of the UK, but by day 8 NE'lies and NNE'lies affect the
UK, as the low deepens over Switzerland.

In summary, the models persist in showing a relatively mobile spell of
weather for the end of the week, with mild temperatures for Thursday/Friday
at least.