UK weather forecast as Met Office says Brits face 'far from pleasant' phenomenon

UK weather forecast as Met Office says Brits face 'far from pleasant' phenomenon Met Office weather forecasters have confirmed the return of 'anticyclonic gloom', which occurs when high pressure traps a layer of moisture near the earth's surface The Met Office has confirmed the return of "anticyclonic gloom" as a blanket of dull and dreary weather settles over the UK. The weather phenomenon, which can bring days of grey skies, mist, fog and drizzle, occurs during the autumn and winter months when a high-pressure system becomes established over the country. This creates a stable atmosphere that suppresses vertical air movement and as a result, traps moisture and low-level cloud, preventing the conditions that would normally help disperse fog and allow sunshine to break through. Rather than bringing the bright, sunny weather often associated with high pressure, anticyclonic gloom can leave a "blanket of dull, grey weather that can persist for days, particularly in inland areas and valleys where cold air pools and fog becomes entrenched", the Met Office explains. Met Office spokesperson Grahame Madge confirmed to The Sun that anticyclonic gloom has returned to the UK this week. It is not yet clear how long the conditions will last or when they officially began. The Met Office noted that high pressure was becoming dominant across the UK from Thursday onwards. A textbook example of anticyclonic gloom occurred during the first half of November 2024, when a strong area of high pressure over continental Europe extended across the UK, trapping a stagnant air mass for more than ten days. Many parts of the country recorded virtually no sunshine during this period, despite temperatures remaining mild. Mist, fog and drizzle were widespread, with dense fog persisting in low-lying areas. On November 6, locations across England, Scotland and Northern Ireland recorded record-breaking maximum temperatures despite the lack of sunshine. "This paradox, mild temperatures with no sunshine, underscores the complexity of anticyclonic gloom. It’s not cold and stormy, but it’s far from pleasant," the Met Office says. Met Office weather forecast Wednesday is expected to start cold but bright in the north and west of the country, while other areas will see a mixture of cloud and brighter spells. A few showers are likely to develop, particularly in the east, with temperatures remaining close to average. For Thursday to Saturday, the Met Office forecasts mostly settled conditions, with large amounts of cloud and a few showers, mainly in the south-west and parts of the north-east. Temperatures should remain near normal, although some areas may see frost and fog. The Met Office's long-range forecast from Sunday, November 8, onwards, states: "High pressure is likely to dominate conditions across much of the UK initially, with large amounts of cloud at times but any amounts of rain or drizzle tending to be small."