The Met Office has issued a stark warning about the return of significant snowfall to parts of the United Kingdom, with accumulations potentially reaching up to 20 centimetres in some areas. This development comes as the country braces for what forecasters are describing as a "complex spell of weather" driven by the arrival of Storm Chandra and a clash between Atlantic systems and colder air masses.
Immediate Weather Warnings and Forecast
Yellow weather warnings are already active across various regions, primarily for severe rain in the south-west and Northern Ireland on Thursday and Friday. However, the meteorological focus is shifting toward the increasing likelihood of substantial snowfall as Storm Chandra interacts with colder air moving southward.
Met Office Chief Forecaster Paul Gundersen provided detailed insight into the developing situation: "Initially, strong winds will impact the Isles of Scilly, western Cornwall and southwest Wales, which remain vulnerable following the recent Storm Goretti. Gusts of 70 to 80mph are possible in these regions. Heavy rain presents an additional hazard as it falls on already saturated ground in Dorset and southern parts of Devon, Somerset and Cornwall."
Snowfall Predictions and Regional Impacts
The short-term forecast for the next 48 hours indicates significant snowfall for higher ground areas, particularly in the Pennines, the Lake District, and across Scotland. Some elevated regions could see accumulations of 10–20cm, creating potentially hazardous travel conditions and raising concerns about infrastructure resilience.
Gundersen further explained: "As Chandra interacts with colder air further north, snow becomes a prominent hazard. We could see 10-20cm of snow accumulating over higher ground in the Pennines, southern Scotland and the Highlands. Given the complexity of this weather pattern, it's crucial that people stay updated with the latest forecasts and heed any warnings issued for their specific areas."
Additional Regional Snowfall Expectations
Beyond the primary snowfall zones, higher ground in Northeast Wales—including the Clwydian range and Hiraethog moors—is expected to experience several hours of snowfall overnight on Thursday into Friday morning. Accumulations of 1cm to 4cm are likely in these areas.
In North East England, weather models indicate a band of snow reaching County Durham and Northumberland early on Friday, January 30. However, this precipitation may transition to heavy rain in lower-lying urban areas such as Newcastle and Sunderland as the day progresses.
Longer-Range February Outlook
The meteorological picture extends beyond the immediate forecast period, with February expected to feature continued atmospheric battles. Forecasters anticipate an ongoing "conflict" between milder Atlantic weather systems approaching from the west and colder air masses originating from northern and eastern regions.
This persistent clash creates an elevated risk of "wintry hazards" and further snowfall throughout the first half of February. While southern and western regions are likely to experience milder, wetter conditions, northern and eastern England—along with Scotland—face the greatest risk of additional cold spells and snow events.
Storm Chandra's Multi-Faceted Impact
In summary, Storm Chandra is delivering a potent mix of meteorological challenges across the UK. Northern regions face the triple threat of heavy rain, gale-force winds, and what the Met Office describes as "significant snow" accumulations. Various yellow weather warnings remain in effect nationwide.
The national weather service has specifically warned about potential power disruptions and travel chaos, particularly in areas where heavy snowfall coincides with strong winds. Such conditions could create blizzard-like scenarios on higher elevation routes, presenting additional challenges for transportation networks and emergency services.
