Weather forecasters are warning of a significant cold snap set to blanket parts of the United Kingdom in snow and blizzards later this month, with temperatures plummeting to as low as -4C.
Winter Weather Set to Strike
Detailed winter overview maps from forecaster WXCharts indicate that snow is expected across parts of Scotland, northern England, and the Midlands on Saturday, December 28. The data suggests a high potential for snow or sleet in areas where precipitation meets the incoming colder air mass.
The forecast points to a sharp drop in temperatures, with Scotland likely to see the mercury fall to a frigid -4C. This will bring a widespread risk of frost and icy conditions, particularly overnight and during the early morning hours.
Areas in the Path of the Snow
A number of specific locations have been identified as having the potential to see snowfall on December 28. The list includes:
- Aberdeen, Dundee, and the Highlands and Grampians in Scotland.
- Newcastle, Cumbria, Greater Manchester, and Lancashire in northern England.
- Stoke-on-Trent and Birmingham in the Midlands.
- Norwich and Norfolk in the east.
- Devon in the southwest.
Met Office Outlook for the Festive Period
The Met Office's broader forecast for the period from December 21 to December 30 suggests unsettled conditions are likely to continue initially. Low pressure is expected to be centred to the southwest of the UK, while high pressure attempts to build from the east across northern areas.
This pattern is predicted to establish a broadly easterly flow, with periods of rain or showers becoming increasingly confined to southern and southwestern regions. As time progresses, high pressure is signalled to become more dominant, leading to drier and more settled weather for many.
With this shift, temperatures are expected to lower slightly compared to recent weeks, falling closer to or perhaps a little below the seasonal average. The Met Office notes that overnight frost and fog, including freezing fog, could become more widespread, although any particularly severe cold conditions are considered unlikely at this stage.
Residents across the highlighted regions, especially in central areas like Birmingham, are advised to stay updated with the latest forecasts and prepare for potential travel disruption and icy hazards as the year draws to a close.
