New weather maps have revealed the specific areas across the UK that are set to be hit by a major cold snap, bringing heavy snow and plunging temperatures. Data indicates that a significant snowfall event is likely from January 3, with some regions potentially seeing accumulations of up to six inches.
Which Areas Are Most at Risk?
According to analysis from WX Charts, which utilises Met Desk data, the cold spell will predominantly affect northern England and the whole of Scotland. Forecast models suggest that 10mm of snow per hour could fall in parts of England during the peak of the event.
The detailed maps show a long list of Scottish counties in the firing line. These include:
- Aberdeenshire, Banffshire, Caithness, and Moray
- Inverness-shire, Nairnshire, Ross and Cromarty, and Sutherland
- Angus, Clackmannanshire, Fife, and Kincardineshire
- Perthshire, Stirlingshire, and all Lothian regions (East, Mid, and West)
Further Scottish areas set for a dusting encompass Argyll and Bute, Dunbartonshire, Renfrewshire, Ayrshire, and multiple southern counties like Dumfriesshire and Lanarkshire. The Northern Isles of Orkney and Shetland are also included in the warning.
English Counties in the Path of the Flurries
In England, the wintry conditions are expected to strike several northern counties. The regions most likely to be affected are Yorkshire, Cumbria, Durham, Northumberland, and Cheshire. Residents in these areas are advised to prepare for potential travel disruption and freezing conditions, with temperatures predicted to plummet as low as -11°C in some places.
Christmas Week Weather Outlook
Leading into the New Year's cold snap, the BBC Weather forecast for the festive period offers a mixed picture. The week begins with cloud and rain for many, spreading northwards and turning heavy in places. Christmas Eve and Christmas Day itself are expected to be largely dry but chillier, with breezy conditions in the south and some bright spells in the north-west.
This impending severe weather serves as a stark reminder of the UK's volatile winter climate. With significant snowfall and icy conditions forecast, the public is urged to stay updated with the latest warnings from the Met Office and plan any essential journeys carefully from January 3 onwards.
