What is anticyclonic gloom and why is it making the weather

Published: 16 October 2025. The English Chronicle Desk. The English Chronicle Online.

The United Kingdom has been shrouded in grey skies for days, with little sign of sunshine breaking through. Many across the country have been wondering what exactly is causing the seemingly endless dullness this autumn. Meteorologists say the culprit is a weather pattern known as “anticyclonic gloom” — a phenomenon that may sound obscure, but is in fact a familiar part of Britain’s seasonal climate story.

Anticyclonic gloom occurs when a high-pressure system, or anticyclone, becomes stationary over the UK. Unlike low-pressure systems, which bring wind and rain, high pressure tends to bring calm and dry conditions. But in autumn, when the sun’s energy weakens and the days grow shorter, this same calmness can create a blanket of low cloud that lingers stubbornly over the landscape.

According to the Met Office, the science behind it is simple yet fascinating. During high pressure, air from the upper atmosphere sinks down toward the ground. As it descends, it warms slightly, creating a stable layer that prevents air near the surface from rising. This traps moisture, haze, and pollutants in the lower atmosphere, forming the persistent grey cloud that has defined the past week.

In summer, the sun’s heat is often strong enough to break up these low clouds, allowing for clear skies by afternoon. But in October, the sunlight is too weak to have the same effect. Without that lift — and with almost no wind to stir the air — the moisture and haze remain trapped. The result is what meteorologists call anticyclonic gloom: a widespread greyness that can feel endless and oppressive.

Dr Helen Roberts of the Met Office described it as “a paradox of weather.” She explained that the very stability people associate with good weather in summer can lead to dreary, sunless days in autumn. “High pressure brings calm conditions, but at this time of year it also means cloud and mist that simply refuse to clear,” she said.

The still air under an anticyclone also causes another problem — pollution. With little vertical movement in the atmosphere, traffic emissions, smoke, and other pollutants accumulate near the surface, sometimes resulting in hazy or foggy conditions. This trapping effect has been linked to poor air quality events in several UK cities over the years. One of the most tragic examples was the Great Smog of 1952, when a high-pressure system over London combined with heavy coal burning to create a deadly blanket of toxic fog that claimed thousands of lives.

Thankfully, such extreme events are now a thing of the past thanks to modern environmental policies. Yet even today, the same atmospheric mechanics can cause temporary spikes in air pollution, particularly in large urban centres like London, Birmingham, and Manchester. The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has already noted higher-than-average pollution readings this week due to stagnant air.

While the gloom has been widespread, not every part of the country has been equally affected. In fact, those living in higher elevations have been treated to a completely different view. The Pennines, the Scottish Highlands, and parts of Snowdonia have experienced bright, crystal-clear skies above the cloud layer. The Met Office reported that humidity levels in some of these elevated areas dropped to as low as four per cent earlier in the week — extraordinarily dry conditions for this time of year.

People living in these regions have been sharing spectacular photographs online, capturing a surreal contrast between the radiant sunshine above and the thick grey sea of cloud below. For those stuck under the gloom, however, social media has been filled with less cheerful comments — many describing the weather as “endless twilight” or “permanent morning.”

The long spell of overcast weather is also taking a psychological toll. Health experts warn that extended periods of low light can contribute to Seasonal Affective Disorder, a type of depression linked to seasonal changes. Dr Rebecca Huntley, a psychologist from the University of Leeds, said the lack of sunlight affects both mood and energy levels. “Our bodies rely on daylight to regulate serotonin and maintain healthy sleep patterns,” she said. “When the days remain dark and dull, people often feel more tired, less motivated, and emotionally flat.”

She advises people to make a conscious effort to get outside during the brightest parts of the day, even if the sky looks grey. “There’s still plenty of light reaching the surface — far more than what you get indoors. A lunchtime walk can really help.”

For those longing for sunshine, meteorologists do have some cautiously optimistic news. The high-pressure system currently responsible for the gloom is expected to shift eastward into the North Sea over the coming weekend. As it moves, southerly winds are forecast to return, bringing slightly milder air and, crucially, more movement in the atmosphere. That means some of the stubborn low clouds could finally begin to break up.

Friday may bring the first glimpses of sunshine for parts of southern England, western Wales, and northern Scotland, while other regions might have to wait until the weekend. By Saturday, most of the UK will remain largely dry, but with occasional bright spells breaking through the cloud in some areas.

Meteorologist Craig Snell from the Met Office explained that while the return of wind and rain might sound unappealing, it could actually lift the nation’s mood. “The irony is that a bit of bad weather could be exactly what’s needed to break this cycle of dullness,” he said. “The next Atlantic front will stir things up, clear the haze, and let us see some proper daylight again.”

That change could arrive by Sunday, as wetter and windier weather begins to push in from the west. It will likely signal the end of the current high-pressure dominance and usher in a more typical October pattern — alternating periods of rain, sunshine, and brisk winds.

For now, however, most of the UK remains under the spell of anticyclonic gloom — a reminder of how the nation’s famously unpredictable climate can surprise even in its stillness. The phenomenon is a natural part of Britain’s atmospheric rhythm, but its impact is undeniably psychological as much as meteorological.

In the words of one weather forecaster, “We may not be able to change the sky, but we can take comfort in knowing it won’t last forever. The sun is still there — just hidden behind the cloud, waiting for its turn again.”