Britain is preparing for a sharp temperature drop, with weather maps indicating a widespread frost and the arrival of snow in the coming days. This cold snap follows a period of brutal conditions that saw temperatures sink as low as -12.6°C in parts of Northern England and Scotland last week.
Widespread Frost and Sub-Zero Chill
According to data from WXCHARTS, by 6am UTC on Wednesday, nearly the entirety of Great Britain will be shivering in sub-zero conditions. A map detailing 6-hour minimum temperatures suggests the mercury will dip below freezing across the nation.
The following regions of England are expected to see minimum temperatures fall below 0°C:
- South West
- South East
- London
- East Anglia
- East Midlands
- West Midlands
- North West
- Yorkshire and the Humber
- North East
Large parts of Wales will also experience this frosty grip, although coastal areas in the south-west may see slightly higher temperatures in the low single digits. In Scotland, the chill will be particularly intense, with areas in the southern Highlands, Aberdeenshire, Perth and Kinross, Argyle and Bute, and Sterling potentially experiencing lows of -3°C. Northern Ireland is forecast to be slightly milder, with temperatures ranging between 2°C and 5°C at that time.
Significant Snowfall Expected for Scotland
While the cold will be widespread, the most significant snow is set to hit Scotland. Forecast data collected by Netweather shows the snow risk percentage rising above 95% in eastern areas of the Highlands, Moray, and Aberdeenshire by 6am on Wednesday.
Further data from WXCHARTS, showing snow depth, predicts substantial accumulations across the northern half of Scotland. An area intersecting the Highlands, Perth and Kinross, and Aberdeenshire could see as much as 12cm of fresh snow. Other regions, including the southern end of the Highlands, parts of Perth and Kinross, Sterling, and Argyle and Bute, could see depths ranging between 5cm and 7cm.
Snow Potential in Northern England
The wintry conditions are not confined to Scotland. Weather maps also suggest a potential for snow in parts of Northern England. There is a possibility of around 1cm of snow accumulating in areas between Cumbria and the North East.
This forecast presents a contrasting picture to the one provided by the Met Office, which anticipates tomorrow will be "dry, cold and sunny for many." The national weather service does, however, note the likelihood of "a few coastal showers, particularly in the east where winds will be brisk."
Residents across the affected regions are advised to stay updated with the latest forecasts and prepare for potentially disruptive winter weather.
