What is ‘anticyclonic gloom’ and why is it making the weather so dull and dreary?
The Met Office offered an explanation as to why the UK is being gripped by grey mist and fog, which has seen people voice their frustration over the dismal weather.
Britain is currently in the middle of “anticyclonic gloom”, which has blanketed the country in a “claustrophobic” low cloud for several days at the beginning of November.
In a post on social media platform X, the Met Office explained what the term meant.
The forecaster said: “This can occur when high pressure traps a layer of moisture near to the earth’s surface, bringing a prolonged period of dull and cloudy weather, with mist and fog also possible. How would you describe today’s weather?”
This week's weather phrase: Anticyclonic Gloom ☁️☁️☁️
This can occur when high pressure traps a layer of moisture near to the earth's surface, bringing a prolonged period of dull and cloudy weather, with mist and fog also possible. How would you describe today's weather?— Met Office (@metoffice) November 4, 2024
Despite the lack of rainfall, a number of people have expressed their discontent with the weather, describing it as “depressing” and “boring”.
One person wrote: “I mean the lack of wind and rain is great but the heavy gloomy sky, my God is so depressing. It’s been the same for a full week and your forecast is the same all this week too. Just awful, claustrophobic almost.”
Sadly, the forecast for the coming days shows no sign of a change with mostly cloudy conditions in both the north and the south, with temperatures staying at a mild 12 degrees across the country.
Here’s a look at the weather forecast over the next five days.
Today
A mostly dry day on Tuesday but staying cloudy with the best of any brightness to the lee of high ground, mainly in the north. Any drizzle will be confined to hills in the west. Light southerly winds.
Tonight
Staying cloudy for most overnight with patchy drizzle continuing over hills in the west. Some clear spells possible allowing some mist and fog by dawn.
Wednesday
Mist and fog may be slow to clear in places, otherwise another mostly cloudy and dry day, with a few spots of rain possible in the west.
Outlook for Thursday to Saturday
High pressure close by will continue to bring mostly dry but often cloudy weather with some fog patches overnight. Perhaps some longer spells of rain in the west by Saturday.