Here is a summary of the latest NWP output for noon on Friday. Issued 0635z,
23/02/04.

ECMWF: http://www.wetterzentrale.de/pics/Recm1201.html
Strong northerlies cover much of the UK, with lows over the North Sea and
western France. The winds become NNW'lies at T+144, as the latter low moves
ESE'wards over Italy. By T+168 a smmall high lies to the NW of the UK, with
northerlies persisting for most.

MetO: http://www.wetterzentrale.de/pics/Rukm1201.html
The Met Office run shows a a low to the east of Shetland and northerlies for
Scotland as a result. Elsewhere, winds are NW'lies, but by T+144 northerlies
cover much of the UK as the low moves SSE'wards over the Netherlands.

GFS: http://64.246.48.81/pics/Rtavn1201.gif
A secondary low lies over the Netherlands, with a ridge from the Azores High
tp the west of the UK. Northerlies cover the UK as a result, with 850hPa
temperatures ranging from -9C over northern Scotland to -7C over Cornwall.
The northerlies ease somewhat at T+144 as the low moves away, followed by
light winds for most at T+168 as the ridge moves over the UK. The exception
is SE England, which still lies under cold NE'lies. By day 8 high pressure
is centred over the North Sea, with SSE'lies and southerlies for the UK.
There's little change on day 9, but by day 10 the high sinks SE'wards,
allowing stronger SSE'lies to affect much of the UK.

GEM: http://www.meteocentre.com/models/glb00_120.html
The Canadian run also shows a ridge to the west, leading to northerlies for
all. 850hPa temperatures vary from -9C over northern Scotland to -6C over SW
England. By T+144 the winds become NW'lies and NNW'lies, as the ridge sinks
slowly SE'wards.

JMA: http://www.wetterzentrale.de/pics/Rjma1201.html
Yet again, the Japanese run is similar to the rest, with northerlies over
the UK from a ridge to the west. 850hPa temperatures vary from -11C over NE
Scotland to -9C over southern England. The winds become northerlies and
NNW'lies at T+144 as a low sinks southwards over the North Sea. By T+168 a
small high covers Ireland and extends northwards; this leads to a
continuation of northerlies for most. By day 8 the high builds over SE
England, allowing southerlies and SSW'lies to affect Scotland, Northern
Ireland, Wales and SW England.

In summary, after the northerly plunge it now looks increasingly likely that
high pressure will move across the UK, prolonging the cold spell by a couple
of days. It now looks likely that the weekend will remain cold, with signs
of things becoming more settled for a time on Monday or Tuesday (JMA, GFS).
As ever, more runs are needed.