Models were showing signs of a bitter cold swathe of air heading towards the UK from Siberia and the Arctic region.
On top of this, high pressure leading to clear skies was expected to send the mercury dropping to below zero around the country.
Some forecasters warned of heavy snow, particularly in the North where up to four inches was predicted to hit high ground.
However the dreaded “Beast from the East” failed to materialise, in fact the past few days have been relatively mild.
Temperatures have dropped making it feel much colder and bringing some problems with ice and there has been some snow in parts of the North.
But no big freeze, so what has happened?
As is always the case in winter there is currently a cold bank of air over Scandinavia and the Arctic region, its effects have been seen in the USA recently.
This is held away from the UK by warmer Atlantic air from the West, which recently has been channelled towards the UK by a particularly strong jet stream.
This, the Met Office explained, is why we have seen so much wet and windy weather over the past few weeks.
Last week, some weather models showed signs that the jet stream was going to weaken significantly and allow this cold air to flood in.
However, in the event this didn’t happen and instead it has stayed relatively mild with a more wet and windy picture remaining.
It’s also looking as if it may turn colder around the middle of next week although the models can’t agree as to how much
Former BBC broadcaster Michael Fish
Met Office forecaster Helen Chivers said this East vs West battle is ongoing during the winter so the cold could sweep in at any point.
She said: “Some of the models were showing the jet stream was going to weaken, and although it has, it is not enough to let the cold air in.
“Other models were suggesting this was less likely to happen, which is why it is good to look at a few to get a better idea.
“We are always on this battleground at this time of year because of our position.”
The temperamental weather had most forecasters fooled.
In our monthly newspaper column, former BBC broadcaster Michael Fish was also showing signs of wavering towards warning of a cold snap.
He said: “So what can we expect as we head into 2014. The answer is more of the same with further rain although the winds have eased somewhat.
“It’s also looking as if it may turn colder around the middle of next week although the models can’t agree as to how much.”
Channel 4 weather presenter Liam Dutton took to his blog to warn “winter proper” could pounce this week.
He wrote: “The weather computer models are showing signs of a switch in the weather pattern into next week, with something more akin to winter a distinct possibility.
“In the coming days, the jet stream is not only going to slow down a bit, but also meander quite far south towards Iberia and the Mediterranean.
“The uncertainty at the moment lies in whether the cold or warm air will win.
“Today, the weather models are slightly in favour of the cold air winning, although this is still subject to change.
“The concern for Sunday into Monday is that as the cold and warm air battle it out, a band of rain could become slow-moving, which would not be good news given that the ground is still saturated and river levels high – bringing a flood risk.
“If the cold air does win the battle, the rain could start to turn to snow later on Monday, as the cold air starts to dig in from the east.
“Temperatures are also likely to take a tumble, with widespread frosts at night and highs of 2-6C during the day by Tuesday.
“So, there could well be a taste of winter proper next week, but again, it has to be stressed that there is still uncertainty with the detail.”
So what are the chances of a proper British winter this year? The Met Office says the weather is going to be “changeable” for the rest of this month and into February.
It’s 30-day outlook states: “The most likely scenario during this period would see northwestern parts of the UK affected by the most frequent bouts of unsettled and windy weather.
“Meanwhile southern and eastern regions should tend to see the most prolonged spells of drier and brighter conditions.
“Some periods of colder weather are likely, particularly between weather systems, meaning that temperatures overall may well be near or a little below normal.”
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