Snow maps see blizzards hammer UK as -8C freeze sweep nation | Weather | News
An Arctic eruption looks set to blanket much of Britain in snow; The weather map shows the mercury dropping to -0 in several areas across the country. Most of Scotland and England, except for a few areas in the West Midlands and the South West, will be covered in snow on Wednesday, January 7, according to new weather charts.
Maps created on 26 December by WXCharts, using Met Desk data, suggest snow will cover many counties in Scotland as well as small areas across England from 6 January. But another map suggests an eruption from the Arctic would hit most of England and southern Scotland the next day.
If the maps are accurate this far ahead, cities as far south as Brighton will be hit with snow on January 7.
A snow depth map shows up to 5.1 inches of snow could have fallen in two regions (Scotland and the South East) by 6pm that day.
According to another map, temperatures will be below freezing in many areas; Scotland seems particularly cold, with areas ranging from -6 to -8C. The map suggests that temperatures will be slightly milder in England, with areas between the North West and Yorkshire and the Humber experiencing temperatures between 0 and -3C, while the south-east of England may experience temperatures between 1 and -1.
Maps show Wales, Northern Ireland and the South West will not be affected by snow and temperatures will be between 0 and 10C.
While WXCharts maps suggest snow could fall across the country, the Met Office is being more cautious in predicting it.
In its long-range forecast, which looks at the dates between 31 December and 9 January, the forecaster said: “During this period, high pressure is likely to concentrate to the west or northwest over the North Atlantic, with low pressure to the east. Gradually developing weather patterns are therefore likely to move across the North Sea at the beginning of the year. However, at the beginning of the year, an area of low pressure could move across the North Sea and bring wetter and windier weather, particularly to the north. Some winter hazards are possible, with cold air close to the UK in places.
“By January, more stable conditions are likely, with colder and drier conditions than average. However, there will also be some rain or showers and windier periods. Temperatures are likely to be below average throughout this period, so winter hazards remain a possibility in some locations.”
The Met Office previously said snow forecasts in the UK were more complex than in continental Europe due to rapidly changing conditions. “Small changes in temperature or wind direction can mean the difference between rain, sleet or snow. Meteorologists use high-resolution models to predict the type of precipitation, but these models can struggle with marginal situations where temperatures are around freezing,” the website states.
“Forecasters also consider factors such as rainfall intensity. Bursts of heavy rainfall can cool the air near the surface, increasing the likelihood of snow. Conversely, lighter rainfall can melt before it reaches the ground. This delicate balance makes snow forecasts one of the most uncertain aspects of UK weather forecasting.”
