The UK is set for a dramatic shift in weather conditions next week, with forecasters predicting the arrival of snow and sub-zero temperatures across several parts of England.
Arctic Blast Set to Bring Wintry Conditions
Following the recent battering from Storm Claudia, a cold snap originating from the Arctic is expected to sweep across the country. The Met Office has indicated a reasonable chance of snow as this frigid air mass moves in, signalling a stark contrast to the recent deluges.
High pressure is predicted to control the weekend weather before shifting south, allowing bitter northerly winds to take hold. This will cause temperatures to tumble significantly, bringing winter-like conditions to the nation.
Areas and Timeline for Snowfall
The cold spell is expected to begin its grip in the early hours of Monday, with parts of Scotland potentially seeing lows of -4C. The chill will then extend nationwide, with temperatures forecast to fall several degrees below the seasonal average.
Specific areas of England are set for snowfall on the following days:
- Monday: Light snow is predicted for Morpeth and Albemarle in Northumberland, Sunderland, Crook in Durham, and Loftus in Redcar and Cleveland.
- Tuesday: Light snow is forecast for Little Rissington in Gloucestershire, with night-time temperatures in the North West potentially dropping to -2C.
- Wednesday: The heaviest snowfall is predicted for Shawbury in Shropshire. Widespread overnight lows of 0-2C are expected across central England and Scotland.
Widespread Wintry Spell Expected
The Met Office warns that alongside the cold, there is a growing chance of sleet and snow, particularly over hills in Scotland, Northern Ireland, northern England, and possibly North Wales.
Looking further ahead, the forecaster said a widespread wintry spell could reach the UK towards the end of next week, with even southern parts of the country potentially seeing snowfall. This aligns with predictions from forecast site OpenWeather, which also indicates snow for parts of Wales on Tuesday and a chance of snow in Northern Ireland by Wednesday.
