A significant cold snap is poised to grip the United Kingdom, with weather maps indicating that snow could blanket 31 towns and cities across England in the coming hours. The Met Office has issued its latest forecast, highlighting the regions most likely to experience wintry conditions as a new low-pressure system approaches.
Met Office Forecast Details Wintry Conditions
According to the Met Office, locations in north Wales, the Pennines, and the Scottish mountains are expected to bear the brunt of the snowfall on Thursday, February 4. Other parts of the country will likely face heavy rainfall instead, adding to the travel disruptions anticipated nationwide.
The official forecast states: "Rain moves northwards through the day, turning heavy in places and again, possible snow across north Wales, the Pennines and Scottish mountains. Winds staying strong in the north. Average temperatures."
Yellow Weather Alert Issued
In response to the impending conditions, the Met Office has activated a yellow alert for rain across many UK areas on Thursday. This cautionary measure warns that a combination of rain and melting snow from previous days could significantly disrupt travel networks and daily activities.
Weather expert Nick Finnis from Netweather.tv elaborated in his blog, noting: "Thursday will see a new low pressure system move in closer to the southwest, bringing showers north across England, Wales and Northern Ireland, while wintry showers will feed in off the North Sea, across eastern Scotland - where it will still be cold. Western Scotland is probably staying dry and bright."
Extended Forecast and Weekend Outlook
The unsettled weather pattern is forecast to persist into Friday and the weekend. Finnis added: "Friday sees low pressure still close to the southwest bring a more organised area of rain northwards across England and Wales, followed by showers. The northeast is still cold with wintry showers off the North Sea, the far northwest dry and bright. Next weekend staying unsettled for most, with low pressure close to the west feeding further showers or longer spells of rain north across many areas."
List of Areas Potentially Affected by Snow
The following towns and cities have been identified on weather maps as at risk of experiencing snow on Thursday:
North Wales:- Wrexham
- Bangor
- Llandudno
- Colwyn Bay
- Rhyl
- Prestatyn
- Conwy
- Caernarfon
- Porthmadog
- Pwllheli
- Blaenau Ffestiniog
- Dolgellau
- Bala
- Denbigh
- Ruthin
- Mold
- Holywell
- Flint
- St Asaph
- Llangefni
- Holyhead
- Manchester
- Sheffield
- Leeds
- Bradford
- Wakefield
- Derby
- Newcastle upon Tyne
- Huddersfield
- Halifax
- Rochdale
- Oldham
- Burnley
- Blackburn
- Bolton
- Bury
- Barnsley
- Rotherham
- Doncaster
- Harrogate
- Skipton
- Keighley
- Hebden Bridge
- Todmorden
- Saddleworth
- Glossop
- Buxton
- Matlock
- Alston
- Penrith
- Darlington
- Durham
- Inverness
- Perth
- Stirling
- Aberdeen
- Fort William
- Aviemore
- Pitlochry
- Kingussie
- Newtonmore
- Grantown‑on‑Spey
- Braemar
- Ballater
- Blairgowrie
- Aberfeldy
- Ullapool
- Dingwall
- Tain
- Thurso
- Wick
- Oban
- Mallaig
- Kyle of Lochalsh
- Portree (Isle of Skye)
- Broadford (Skye)
- Tobermory (Mull)
- Dumfries
- Moffat
- Peebles
- Galashiels
- Hawick
- Selkirk
- Jedburgh
- Kelso
- Melrose
- Lockerbie
- Stranraer
Residents in these areas are advised to stay updated with the latest weather warnings and plan their travel accordingly to avoid potential disruptions caused by the snow and rain.
