What the weather holds in store for anglers

It's not looking good out there weather-wise, as far as this weekend goes.

They reckon most of the country's going to get snow over the next couple of days - with some of us looking at several inches of it.

Check on the right for the weather latest where you are - there's a Metcheck weather widget you can use to get a tailored forecast for your area; plus links to the Met Office website and severe weather warnings.

Brief thaw on the way - but will the pike feed..?

FROZEN: Ice from bank to bank on the Relief Channel, in Norfolk

This weekend could see a respite from the cold for parts of the UK, with forecasters predicting milder conditions for a few days.

That means the first chance to wet a line for many pike anglers, with hopes the fish will feed if the ice clears from their local waters.

Tonight the Met Office said daytime temperatures could reach highs of 8C in some places, which will allow a slow thaw of lying snow. But Arctic conditions are expected to return through the new working week.

Met Office chief forecaster Andy Page said: "The UK is not out of the woods as far as the cold weather is concerned.

"There is a risk of widespread icy conditions tonight and tomorrow, especially across northern parts of the British Isles.

"Although there is a brief recovery of temperatures over the coming days, cold north easterly winds are expected to bring a return to the cold conditions next week with the risk of snow, especially in the north and east."

Click here for latest forecasts.

Crane driver dies in frozen Fen drain

An Environment Agency crane driver died today after his machine fell into a frozen drain.

Firefighters and police fought to free the man from the Old Bedford River, near Mepal, Cambs, but he was pronounced dead at the scene of the accident this lunchtime.

The tragedy highlights the dangers of frozen banks, after several nights of sub-zero temperatures in the Fens. More here.

Weather might just look up for pike fishing

Forecast might not be looking too cracky for today, with more snow on the way for many. Click here for latest.

But things might just start looking up next week - and we all know what that means, as the lid comes off waters which have been frozen over.

Worse weather on the way, forecasters say

Brrrrrrrrrr.... The weather's looking decidedly Arctic tonight, with forecasters saying there could be worse on the way for many areas.

If you're thinking of venturing out over the next few days, check the forecasts using the links on top of the sidebar before travelling. Police in many areas are warning people not to travel unless it's essential.

+++Click here for latest Met Office warnings.

And here is the weather...

Most anglers are probably wondering how the weather's going to impact on their pike fishing over the next few days, with snow predicted across the North and East of the UK.

If you enter your postcode - or the rough postcode for the area you're planning on fishing - into the MetCheck weather widget on the right, you can get a blow-by-blow forecast for the next few days.

No forecast is 100 per cent accurate. But it pays to be prepared.

The daddy of all weather sites - and source of many of the weather stories you see in newspapers - is the Met Office. Click here to go to their site, which offers a wide range of forecasts including things like air pressure.

Here we snow again - cold snap on the way

Those who love the pike fishing weather of yore might just be in for a treat this week.

For the Met Office says a change in the weather will see the return of overnight frosts and showery rain in many eastern regions of the UK, with a wintry mix over the hills.

Temperatures are expected to fall, especially later in the week, with eastern parts of the country the most likely to see some wintry weather.

Met Office chief forecaster Frank Saunders said: “Early indications are that there might well be some snow as we head towards next weekend, however, it is too early to say exactly where and when.”

And here is the weather...

Pike anglers are worse than farmers, when it comes to moaning about the weather.

Too clear, too cloudy - we could do with some decent frosts, etc. We even have our own weather lore - overcast, low pressure troughs for deads; high-pressure best for lives or lures.

Then there's the classic adage: "When the wind's in the west, the fishing's best. When the wind's in the east, the fish bite the least."

Some religiously listen to the shipping forecast on Radio Four. Dogger, Humber, will they bite..?

Ever wished you knew what it was going to do before you get our there - like the chap in the picture..?

Hat tip Metcheck, who provide almost hour-by-hour forecasts for all areas of the UK. Enter your postcode in the widget wotsit over on the right, to find out what the weather's going to do down your way.

You can also set up alerts for your fave fishing spots, to get the following day's forecast e-mailed to you each afternoon.

We'll drop it down the sidebar in a few days' time. Have fun with it in the meantime.

+++Got a weather theory..? Stick it in our comments.

BREAKING NEWS: Menteith could be off

Sub zero temperatures in Scotland could force postponement of the PAC event on the Lake of Menteith on Saturday, February 27, organiser Mick Crisp said tonight.

"There is a strong possibility that this event may be cancelled due to the ice on Menteith which at the moment is getting thicker," he told the PAC members' forum.

"I will contact everybody who is fishing if it is definitely cancelled, but please spread the word that it is looking dodgy at the moment."