It’s time to fire up the jetstream.

Thanks to Tracy for the photograph, if perhaps a little optimistic.

The general picture sees a large plunge of cold air heading to North America early this week, which is the trigger to fire up the jetstream over the North Atlantic Ocean – so in a few day’s time, we’ll become wet and windy.

Benign conditions for the start of the week though.

Monday will be a mostly cloudy day. A bit of sunshine is possible at times, a bit of drizzle or light rain is probable at times. Still chilly though less so than the last few days, reaching around 6’C. Mostly cloudy overnight, down to around 1’C – a frost possible if you get a few clear breaks, and fog could form too.

Not much change for Tuesday, an old low pressure system not connected to the jetstream will be heading towards Portugal/France/Spain – but for us another cloudy day, quite probably misty/foggy in the morning too. There is scope for some sunny spells, but more likely it stays cloudy, and around 5’C. Cloudy overnight, the aforementioned low pressure probably bringing some general light rain at times. Around 2’C.

Wednesday (my birthday!) will be cloudy with some light rain to stay. Drier in the afternoon, most likely staying cloudy but a chance of some bright spells. Still on the chilly side, around 4’C. Some clear spells likely overnight, down to around 0’C and frost possible.

Things start to change properly on Thursday, as we usher in an unsettled spell. Sunny to start the day, but cloud will thicken with a spell of rain arriving. Timing still uncertain, but broadly mid/late morning for an arrival, likely some heavy rain, though it will push through quite quickly – say 3-4 hours of rain. Sunny spells and showers to follow. Windy whilst raining, and reaching around 8’C. Clear skies at first overnight, perhaps a frost but then the next weather front arrives during the night with more rain – exact timing uncertain.

By Friday, the jetstream will be in a full-on rage.

Wet and windy to start the day, sunny spells to follow – perhaps with a blustery shower as it will stay windy. More likely we’ll just remain with strong winds, but there is a possibility of gales – more likely further north than us, but worth keeping an eye on if you have plans. Reaching around 9’C. Uncertain on conditions overnight, though likely less windy.

Low confidence for Saturday, but more likely a respite with sunny spells and variable amounts of cloud. Around 8’C, give or take.

Again low confidence of details for Sunday, but more likely either showers or rain, and around 10’C.

Highly likely next week starts with further spells of heavy rain and strong winds – how long this unsettled spell will last for is uncertain, though more likely it lasts into next weekend than doesn’t.

Settled weather looks more likely for the second half, perhaps last two-thirds of February, but early February remains uncertain.

Some early spring warmth in March still looks probable…as much as anything can two months away.