A major winter storm system is poised to strike the United Kingdom, with forecasters warning that up to 45 counties could be hit by snow blizzards before the weekend. The severe weather is expected to arrive just days after recent Met Office alerts expired, bringing a fresh wave of disruption.
Widespread Snow and Rain Forecast
According to detailed weather maps from forecaster WXCharts, a powerful Atlantic system will sweep across the nation from Thursday, bringing a blanket of rain and snow. The entire UK is forecast to be under sheets of rain by 3pm on Thursday, with the precipitation first reaching the south coast around 9am.
Significant snow accumulations are predicted for northern England and Scotland. Areas just north of Manchester could see up to 10cm of snow settling, while Perthshire in Scotland is bracing for a potential 26cm. Aberdeenshire may receive up to 11cm.
Counties on Alert Across the Nations
The forecaster indicates that a vast swathe of England and Wales, stretching from Swansea to Northumberland, will be impacted. In England, 13 counties are in the firing line, including Herefordshire, Shropshire, Staffordshire, Cheshire, and all the way up to Cumbria and Northumberland.
Central and southern Wales is also set for a battering, with 18 counties potentially facing snow blizzards bringing highs of up to 6cm of snow. Coastal areas of Wales are more likely to see heavy rain. The list of affected Welsh counties includes Carmarthenshire, Pembrokeshire, Powys, Gwynedd, and Flintshire.
In Scotland, multiple regions are again under threat. As well as Perthshire and Aberdeenshire, areas like Argyllshire, Inverness-shire, and Morayshire are expected to be affected.
Met Office Outlook and Flood Risk
This new prediction follows closely on the heels of yellow weather warnings for heavy rain issued by the Met Office for parts of Scotland last Sunday and Monday. The national forecaster had warned that rising temperatures combined with rain could lead to flooding in warning regions as existing snow melts.
The Met Office's own outlook for Wednesday to Friday differs somewhat from the WXCharts model. It states that wet and windy weather will push northeastwards through Thursday, followed by blustery showers on Friday, with milder conditions in the south. The Met Office has previously explained that forecasting snow in the UK is particularly challenging.
By 9pm on Thursday, the main band of rain is expected to have cleared southern England and Wales. However, northern areas will remain drenched until around 3am on Friday as the system moves across the North Sea.
Residents across the listed counties are advised to stay updated with the latest forecasts and travel information as the week progresses.
