A significant wintry blast, dubbed a 'snow bomb', has been brought forward and is now expected to hit the UK this Saturday, December 6. Weather modelling indicates that up to nine counties across England could see disruptive snowfall, with flurries potentially reaching as far south as Manchester.
Which Areas Are at Risk of Snow?
Advanced weather maps, based on the GFS system, have turned a stark white, highlighting the regions most likely to be affected. The counties in England facing a potential dusting of snow are: Greater Manchester, Staffordshire, Lancashire, the West Midlands, Yorkshire, Cumbria, Durham, Northumberland, and Lincolnshire.
Wintry conditions are forecast to push into North West England and even northern parts of the Midlands. North of the border, areas around Dundee and Glasgow in Scotland are also at risk. Temperatures are predicted to plummet, with the mercury potentially dropping to a frigid -1°C in some spots.
Weather Outlook Leading to the Weekend
The Met Office outlook for the days preceding the cold snap suggests a mixed picture. Wednesday is expected to be largely dry with sunny spells and isolated showers. However, spells of rain are forecast to move across the UK on Thursday and Friday, with some brighter periods in between.
The BBC's forecast aligns, indicating that Thursday will turn wet and windy for many as a band of rain sweeps eastwards. Friday may start mostly dry but dull, with rain likely moving into the south-west by evening.
Context and Warnings
This incoming cold spell follows a period of very wet weather which prompted the Met Office to issue amber weather warnings for rain on December 1. Experts had warned of a genuine flood risk due to intense rainfall on already saturated ground.
While the weekend snow may not be part of a named storm, the sudden shift to wintry conditions could cause travel disruption. Residents in the affected areas are advised to keep a close eye on the latest weather updates from the Met Office and plan journeys accordingly as the weekend approaches.
