The UK is preparing for a significant bout of disruptive winter weather, with the Met Office issuing a series of yellow and amber snow warnings set to come into force from Wednesday night. However, a fortunate sixteen counties in England are forecast to be largely spared the barrage of snow.
Which Areas Will Avoid the Snow?
While large parts of the country, including Scotland, Newcastle, East Yorkshire, Wales, and Plymouth, brace for impact, weather models indicate a narrow corridor in the far south and southeast will escape the worst. According to the latest data from WX Charts, the following sixteen counties are expected to miss out on the heaviest snowfall:
- Cornwall
- Wiltshire
- Somerset
- Dorset
- Hampshire
- Isle of Wight
- West Sussex / East Sussex
- Gloucestershire
- Greater London
- Berkshire
- Oxfordshire
- Buckinghamshire
- Hertfordshire
- Bedfordshire
- Northamptonshire
- Warwickshire
In these areas, including Kent, Essex, Surrey, and parts of Hampshire, precipitation is predicted to fall mostly as rain or sleet rather than settling snow.
Widespread Disruption Forecast for Warned Areas
For the rest of the nation, the outlook is far more severe. The Met Office has warned that frequent and heavy wintry showers, accompanied by gusty winds, could bring significant accumulations. Between 15 to 25 cm of snow is forecast over the North York Moors and parts of the Yorkshire Wolds.
Even at lower elevations, 2 to 5 cm is possible, with 5 to 10 cm likely above 100 metres. On higher ground, accumulations could reach up to 20 cm. The most severe impacts are anticipated in areas under amber warnings, where blizzard-like conditions may develop.
Residents Urged to Prepare for Impacts
The Met Office and local authorities are urging residents in affected regions to prepare for several potential consequences. The disruptive blast of wintry weather is expected to cause:
- Substantial travel delays and a risk of vehicles becoming stranded on major and rural routes.
- Power outages, which could have knock-on effects for mobile phone coverage and other essential services.
- A genuine risk of rural communities being cut off entirely.
- Widespread cancellations to train and bus services, especially where heavy snow persists.
- Dangerous ice forming, particularly where any partial thawing refreezes overnight.
- Occasional lightning strikes within the heavier snow bands.
The wintry weather is set to arrive on Wednesday night, the 19th of November, 2025, with the most disruptive conditions expected throughout Thursday.
