Britain is gripped by 'anticyclonic gloom' as fog, drizzle and grey skies are set to last until next Tuesday

Met Office chief forecaster Paul Gunderson warns the murky conditions will persist until at least next Tuesday, with temperatures locked at 10-11C in London and barely shifting across the country. The phenomenon traps moisture and low-level cloud beneath high pressure, with weak winter sunshine too feeble to burn through and light winds unable to clear it.

Met Office spokesperson Grahame Madge says the gloom will ease only when westerly Atlantic winds return to push the high pressure away.

Inland areas and valleys bear the brunt, where cold air settles and fog becomes entrenched for days at a stretch.

October brought above-average rainfall, warmth and sunshine — but the Environment Agency warns even that rainfall was not enough to ease an ongoing drought.