The United Kingdom is preparing for a significant winter weather event, with forecasters predicting a biting -9C snow storm that could deposit up to 10 centimetres of snow in parts of the country early in the New Year.
Widespread Snow Forecast for Early January
Data from WX Charts, which utilises Met Desk information, indicates that the wintry conditions are expected to arrive on January 3. The projections, generated by the advanced GFS modelling system, show snow spreading across the East of England and the North East. Six English counties are specifically highlighted as being in the firing line: Norfolk, Nottinghamshire, Yorkshire, Northumberland, Cumbria, and Durham.
Notably, the cold snap is predicted to reach as far south as Cornwall in the South West of England, an area often spared the worst of winter weather. Cities including Nottingham, Derby, Hull, Norwich, Ipswich, and Thanet could all experience snow flurries.
Scotland and Northern England Face Heaviest Falls
The deepest accumulations are forecast for Scotland. The Cairngorms could see snow depths of up to 10cm, while the North East of England is expected to receive between 6cm and 8cm. In Scotland, Glasgow, Dundee, Wick, Inverness, and the capital Edinburgh are also on alert for potential snowfall.
Looking ahead to the broader pattern for January, a BBC Weather forecast suggests high pressure may dominate initially, leading to cold, dry conditions with frost and fog. However, it states: "The depth and duration of any colder spell is very uncertain."
Potential Shift to Milder, Unsettled Conditions
The BBC forecast adds that during the second week of January, high pressure could shift southwards, potentially allowing milder air to creep back into the UK. This transition, however, might be slow and could herald a return to more unsettled weather. Crucially, the forecast warns: "Any transition from cold to mild could come with a period of wintry weather."
In the more immediate short term, Netweather TV's Nick Finnis offered some reassurance for Christmas travel, noting that while Sunday and Monday look more unsettled with rain, "it doesn’t look like there will be any disruptive weather for those making an early Christmas getaway this weekend and early next week."
Residents across the affected regions are advised to monitor the latest weather warnings from the Met Office as the potential January 3 snow storm approaches and to plan accordingly for possible travel disruption in the New Year.
