The UK is bracing for a significant and prolonged period of wintry weather, with a leading forecaster warning of widespread snow lasting for "several days or more" from as early as this weekend.
Forecaster's Confidence in Major Snow Event
James Madden from Exacta Weather has issued a detailed update, stating with confidence that atmospheric changes will bring substantial snowfall to many parts of the country. He indicated that the snow will begin across northern regions from this weekend or Monday (around 19th January), before establishing a stronghold elsewhere.
"Conditions will then take a gradual stronghold elsewhere and bring widespread snow and cold for many during and around the middle of next week at the very latest," Mr Madden said. He emphasised that this cold spell, influenced by northerly or north-easterly winds, aligns with earlier predictions for this period of winter.
Timeline and Expected Impact
The forecaster pinpointed the key dates of 18th-19th January as the likely start of the most significant conditions. "It appears that the gradually colder and wintry weather with ever-increasing snow prospects for many is now more or less locked in," he added. This alert follows the recent chaos brought by Storm Goretti across England last week, signalling a continued period of disruptive weather.
Mr Madden explained that being in mid-winter, rather than spring, creates a prime environment for these widespread snow events, making this period particularly potent for cold and snow opportunities.
Contrasting Outlook from the BBC
In contrast, the BBC's longer-range forecast for the same period presents a different picture. Their outlook for the second half of January suggests temperatures will be "mostly above or at least close to average," driven by frequent west to south-westerly winds.
The BBC forecast indicates low-pressure systems moving across the Atlantic, bringing periods of rain and strong winds. While they acknowledge the chance of "some wintry showers" in northern regions, chiefly Scotland, they state that "the chance of any meaningful snowfall is low" for most areas, with precipitation expected to be near or above normal.
This divergence in forecasts highlights the uncertainty in predicting weather patterns a week ahead. Residents across the UK are advised to stay updated with the latest local forecasts as the weekend approaches to prepare for potential travel disruption and cold conditions.
