Met Office explains why Brits continue to face 'depressing and claustrophobic' weather

The UK weather forecast is unusual - and has been for some days - because of a lack of rain and wind for most of the UK, and temperatures remain mild at around 14C in Plymouth

Brits will continue to experience "depressing... almost claustrophobic" weather for several days yet, the Met Office confirmed.

Low-lying cloud - forming as fog and mist at times - has lingered above us for several days and, while there has been a lack of rain, Brits have shared their frustration on social media.

Speaking out today about the strange weather, the Met Office said the UK is experiencing an "anticyclonic gloom," a meteorological term used when moisture is trapped near the Earth's surface.

It tweeted on Monday afternoon: "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?"

Photographs taken in recent days show mist and fog linger across UK skies, especially in southern counties. The "anticyclonic gloom" means temperatures have remained mild for several days, topping 14C in Plymouth, Devon, on Monday. Highs of 17C and 16C are expected today in Bristol and Denbighshire, north Wales, respectively, forecasters say.

But some Brits are concerned by the bizarre spell. One posted on X, which was known as Twitter: "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." Another said on the same platform: "I'd rather it were colder."

A third user shared: "We have a summer with little or no anti-cyclonic weather and when we do it’s in November and depressingly dull." Meanwhile, another said they flew to Newcastle Airport and it took severaal minutes for the plane to remerge through the thick cloud during the landing.

There has been little rain so far in November as a result of the high pressure. The wettest place on Monday was Glenanne, County Armagh, but even there, only 4.6mm of rain fell throughout the whole day, according to statistics by the Met Office.