Weather forecasts have identified the precise timing of a 30-inch snowstorm approaching the UK, coinciding with a plunge in temperatures to record lows. Although the country is currently enjoying mild weather, a significant drop in temperatures is anticipated towards the end of this month and into the next, with highs of 10C expected to plummet to as low as -5C in southern England. This cold snap is forecasted to bring another bout of snowfall, according to weather maps.
Detailed charts have captured the imminent arrival of the next intense weather system, which is expected to unleash a substantial amount of snow across the nation. Data from WXCharts, utilizing information from MetDesk, indicates a gradual increase in snowfall starting from January 27 at 9pm, as a sprawling system moves in from the west. The initial mix of snow and rain is projected to hit regions like Devon, Cornwall, and south Wales.
Initial snowfall estimates suggest rates of up to 1mm per hour, with a high likelihood of accumulation as temperatures dip to between 0C and -2C. Over the subsequent three days, the snowfall is expected to intensify, particularly along the south coast, with rates potentially reaching up to 2mm per hour in cities such as Plymouth, Poole, and Exeter by January 29.
By the weekend of January 31, the snowfall is forecasted to shift eastward, settling in the southeast of the UK and covering a significant portion of the country. Areas including London, Bristol, Southampton, Ipswich, Norwich, and extending to Manchester could experience snowfall ranging from 0.2mm to 0.4mm. The weather system is predicted to advance several hundred miles north to Newcastle by February 3, maintaining similar snowfall rates.
On February 4, snow accumulation is expected to reach between 1cm and 15cm in London and the southeast, with Kent likely to receive the highest snowfall amounts. Northern England and Scotland are anticipated to bear the brunt of the snowfall, with projections indicating up to 60cm of snow in the Scottish Highlands and around 45cm in areas like the North Penines National Landscape and Yorkshire Dales National Park.
The Met Office’s long-range forecast for the period covered in the charts suggests the possibility of incoming snow showers following potentially heavy rain. From January 25 to February 3, weather systems moving in from the Atlantic are expected to encounter high pressure, leading to intermittent spells of rain or showers, particularly in the south and west regions.
While milder conditions may prevail in the south and southwest at times, a gradual cooling trend is anticipated, increasing the likelihood of snow showers, primarily over hills in Scotland and northern England.
