Here is a summary of the latest NWP output for noon on Friday. Issued 0610z,
5/07/04.

ECMWF: http://64.246.48.81/pics/Recm1201.gif
Low pressure covers the Baltic, with northerlies for the UK. The winds
become NW'lies at T+144 as a ridge sinks SE'wards towards Biscay, followed
by WNW'lies at T+168.

MetO: http://www.wetterzentrale.de/pics/Rukm1201.html
A ridge covers Biscay, leading to NW'lies for the UK. The Azores High ridges
strongly towards the UK at T+144, bringing more NW'lies.

GFS: http://64.246.48.81/pics/Rtavn1201.gif
Southern Norway lies under low pressure, leaving the UK under NW'lies and
WNW'lies. 850hPa temperatures vary from +1C over Scotland to +3C over much
of England. A secondary low forms to the SW of Ireland at T+144, leadving
the UK under southerlies. By T+168 lows lie to the ESE and NW of the UK,
with light northerlies for much of England and Wales. The low to the NW
becomes no more than a trough west of Scotland on day 8, bringing NW'lies
for the UK. The NW'lies continue on day 9, but by day 10 a weak ridge moves
across the UK, with westerlies, NW'lies and SW'lies.

GEM: http://www.meteocentre.com/models/glb00_120.html
NW'lies and northerlies cover the UK, due to low pressure over Denmark.
850hPa temperatures are uniformly +3C over the whole of the UK, unusually.
By T+144 a trough moves eastwards along the English Channel, while much of
the UK lies under northerlies or NNW'lies.

JMA: http://www.wetterzentrale.de/pics/Rjma1201.html
The Japanese run shows northerlies and NNW'lies, again due to low pressure
to the ENE. 850hPa teperatures vary from +3C over northern Scotland to +5C
over SE England. NW'lies cover the UK at T+144 as a ridge approaches from
the west, followed by WNW'lies on day 7 as the ridge moves eastwards. Day 8
sees stronger westerlies for most, as low pressure deepens to the west of
Scotland.

In summary, the models are mixed today. Even at T+144 they vary widely, with
the MetO showing settled weather and the GFS showing low pressure close by.
It does look as though a northerly/NW'ly regime will affect the UK in time
for the weekend. As ever, more runs are needed.