The Met Office has identified two regions in the UK that may experience significant snowfall of up to 18 inches due to the impact of Storm Dave during the Easter weekend.
The national weather service has issued five alerts for Saturday and Sunday, encompassing rain, wind, and potential snowfall. A warning for both rain and snow has been issued for parts of central and north-west Scotland from 3 pm on Saturday until 6 am on Sunday. The forecast predicts snow across the Highlands and Na h-Eileanan Siar. The Met Office cautioned that heavy rain combined with snowfall over elevated areas could cause disruptions associated with Storm Dave.
According to meteorologists, rain moving northwards from the south on Saturday afternoon is anticipated to transition to sleet and snow over higher terrain as it encounters colder air in central and north-west Scotland. Snowfall intensity may increase during the evening, leading to blizzard-like conditions as winds strengthen. Data from WXCharts, utilizing information from MetDesk, indicates that certain parts of the Highlands could potentially receive up to 18 inches of snow.
The Met Office mentioned that snow accumulations are projected mainly above 200m, with some regions possibly receiving up to eight inches. Snowfall is expected to diminish in the northeast of Scotland early on Sunday, with isolated sleet and snow showers anticipated throughout the day, unlikely to result in further accumulations.
In reference to the four wind alerts, the Met Office highlighted that Storm Dave, described as “a swiftly intensifying area of low pressure,” will progress northeastward, passing near or over northwestern portions of the UK on Saturday evening and overnight before moving out into the North Sea by Sunday.
A wind advisory for Scotland will be in effect from 6 pm on Saturday until noon on Sunday. Another wind warning for Orkney and Shetland is scheduled from midnight on Sunday until noon, while a separate alert covering northern England and Wales will be active from 5 pm on Saturday until 7 am on Sunday. A fourth warning for Northern Ireland will be implemented from 2 pm on Saturday and will continue until 3 am on Sunday.
