The UK is set for another major bout of wintry weather as forecasters warn a significant 'snow bomb' is on course to strike next week. A vast area of snow is predicted to blanket the country, impacting at least 17 counties across England and stretching as far north as Scotland.
Widespread Snow Forecast and Affected Areas
According to data from WX Charts, which utilises Met Desk information, a huge swathe of the UK will see snowfall from Monday, January 26. This follows weeks after the disruption caused by Storm Goretti. The maps indicate a 652-mile span of snow coverage, from Essex and Cambridgeshire in the south, all the way to the northernmost tip of Scotland at Wick.
The counties expected to be hammered by the snow include:
- Northumberland, Cumbria, and Durham
- Yorkshire and Lancashire
- Merseyside and Greater Manchester
- Cheshire, Derbyshire, and Nottinghamshire
- Leicestershire, Northamptonshire, and Warwickshire
- Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire
Temperatures are forecast to plunge dramatically, potentially dropping to as low as -4 degrees Celsius in some regions during the peak of the cold snap.
Met Office Outlook for Late January
The Met Office's official forecast for the period beginning January 23 describes a battle between weather systems. Initially, milder Atlantic air is likely to bring showers and rain to most parts. However, a shift is expected.
"There is then an increased chance that conditions will turn more widely colder and drier," the Met Office states. "This aspect of the forecast is still somewhat uncertain but the potential transition to colder weather also increases the chance of snow across parts of the country."
The forecaster notes that while temperatures will start around or slightly above average, the far northeast is likely to be colder from the outset, with some sleet or snow.
Preparing for the Winter Onslaught
The anticipated return of heavy snow so soon after Storm Goretti will raise concerns about travel disruption, potential school closures, and pressure on public services. Residents in the affected counties are advised to monitor the latest weather warnings from the Met Office as the situation develops.
The significant drop in temperature also poses risks of ice on roads and pavements, highlighting the need for caution. This upcoming weather event underscores the volatile nature of the UK's winter climate, with a sharp turn from milder, wetter conditions to a colder, snowier pattern on the cards for the end of the month.
