Following Storm Goretti, forecasts indicate that a three-day period of heavy snowfall may occur later this month.
Storm Goretti caused widespread disruption in the UK with the issuance of alerts by the Met Office for snow, ice, wind, and rain. A rare red warning for strong winds was specifically issued for the south-west, where a tragic incident resulted in a fatality after a tree fell on a caravan.
Latest weather models now indicate the likelihood of additional snowfall post this weekend, with initial snow showers expected in parts of northern England and Scotland on January 18. The ECMWF model forecasts a significant weather front advancing from the Atlantic around 6am, accompanied by heavy rainfall in low-lying areas nationwide.
Subsequent weather maps for the early hours of January 19 project further snowfall across various regions, affecting the south-west of England, Wales, the Pennines, the Yorkshire Dales, and western Scotland. Data suggests that snowfall rates could reach up to four inches per hour in certain parts of Scotland.
More snow is anticipated on January 20, as per the latest maps, targeting extensive areas of the Midlands and northern England around 6am. Cities like Manchester, Liverpool, and Stoke-on-Trent are likely to witness snowfall during this period, with potential flurries of one inch per hour.
Snow depth projections for midday on January 20 indicate a substantial accumulation of 40cm (16 inches) in parts of northern Scotland, up to 7cm (three inches) in Wales, and 6cm (two inches) in northern England.
BBC Weather forecasts also suggest the possibility of more snow later in the month. The outlook for next week mentions the potential arrival of a strong low-pressure system, leading to heavy rain, strong winds, and probable snowfall, primarily over higher terrain in northern Scotland.
Regarding the period from January 19 to 25, the forecast indicates a low likelihood of substantial snowfall but mentions the chance of wintry showers in northern areas, particularly in Scotland, during brief cold and clear intervals between weather systems. Precipitation levels are expected to be near or above average, with a gradual thaw of any remaining snow.
The Met Office has issued an amber snow warning in effect today, from 3am until 2pm tomorrow, for the Highlands. Additionally, three rain warnings have been issued for this weekend across Scotland and Northern Ireland.
Met Office Chief Forecaster Rebekah Hicks stated: “Sunday will witness disruptive weather conditions as the UK transitions to a milder air mass, signaling the end of the cold spell experienced since the beginning of the year.
“Low pressure from the west will introduce milder air, resulting in significant snow accumulations in already affected areas of Scotland where cold air persists. Some parts of the Highlands could see an additional 20-30cm of snow, accompanied by strong winds, making Sunday’s weather impactful.
<p class="Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh "data-tmdatatrack="content-unit" data-tmdatatrack-type="
