Brits are bracing for significant snowfall, as new weather forecasts predict snow to blanket parts of England and Wales for nearly 60 hours starting this weekend. According to WX Charts, snow will begin to fall at 6 AM on Sunday, January 5, and continue until 6 PM on Tuesday, January 7. The South-West is set to experience up to 3 centimeters of snow per hour on Sunday, with the weather front making its way north throughout the day.
By Sunday afternoon, snow is expected to spread across the Midlands, East Anglia, Wales, and even reach the Peak District by the late afternoon. WX Charts indicates regions such as Greater Manchester should prepare for around 2-3 cm of snowfall by midnight on January 6. By midday on Monday, this snowy weather will cover much of England and Wales, pushing toward southern Scotland and impacting the far north of Scotland and parts of Northern Ireland simultaneously.
While some areas in the south, including parts of Dorset, Hampshire, Sussex, and Kent, may enjoy clear skies on January 6, rain will be prevalent across Cornwall and south Wales. The snow and rain front is expected to shift southeastwards by Tuesday, January 7, with patches of snow continuing to affect regions such as the Scottish Highlands and Northumberland.
A chilly weekend is anticipated, with temperatures potentially plummeting as low as -10°C in central Scotland by Tuesday. The Met Office has forecasted significant drops across the UK beginning Thursday, January 2. By then, they expect much of the country to experience persistent colder conditions heading through the weekend. A Met Office spokesperson noted, "Wintry showers are expected to affect the far north and east at times, but away from these, sunshine will be much more widespread than in recent days." They added, "Overnight temperatures will widely fall below freezing, perhaps reaching minus double digits in areas of Scotland already covered in snow." The forecaster also warned travelers to prepare for potential disruptions due to snow and ice from New Year's Day through January 2, especially in northern Scotland.
Weather patterns are changing rapidly. An oncoming band of heavy rain and strong winds had already been set to impact northern regions of the UK on New Year's Day. WX Charts have highlighted the anticipated snow across locations including Inverness, Edinburgh, and Aberdeen as part of severe weather warnings issued to millions. These National Severe Weather Warnings have included amber alerts for rain throughout Scotland, impacting celebratory events as the New Year begins.
Andy Page, Chief Meteorologist at the Met Office, commented on the shift: "Following this complex weather pattern featuring low-pressure systems bringing strong winds, rain, and snow, the forecast for the next few days has taken on a much colder outlook." This means those expecting milder weather will be caught off guard.
By Monday, weather forecasts predict significant rainfall across Wales and northwest England, extending through Tuesday night and early Wednesday. Met Office Deputy Chief Meteorologist, Rebekah Hicks, stated, "A band of persistent and at times heavy rain will linger across Wales and northwest England through Tuesday night and Wednesday morning." She cautioned, "This rain will be accompanied by strong and gusty winds," with predictions of winds reaching up to 75 mph.
A yellow wind warning came swiftly on January 1, commencing just after midnight, pinpointing these high winds across southern England, the Midlands, and Wales. The Met Office alerted: "Strong southwesterly winds are expected overnight and during Wednesday, with gusts possibly reaching 65-75 mph across coastal regions." Standard inland gusts might reach between 45 and 55 mph, climbing to 60 mph during weather fronts.
The severe weather warnings did not stop there. Compounding the bad weather, areas across the Highlands of Scotland were cautioned about heavy rainfall, which had the potential to be "dangerous to life," particularly as temperatures begin to fluctuate. The Met Office went as far as issuing amber warnings surrounding Inverness, expected to affect the area until around 5 PM on New Year's Day.
Although the New Year's festivities may lead to celebratory spirits, the weather will likely complicate preparations for many. With forecasts showing no immediate respite from the unrelenting weather conditions, residents are encouraged to stay updated on local forecasts and heed warnings from their respective weather services. More wintry showers are anticipated, but the expectation of clearer skies could emerge mid-week, giving citizens brief moments of relief from the challenging weather patterns.
Experts recommend making travel arrangements cautiously as conditions may deteriorate simultaneously. The anticipated weather serves as yet another reminder of the volatility of UK winters and the importance of staying prepared for what Mother Nature has to offer at any moment.