UK snow forecast: Weather maps show 84-hour Arctic blast and -3C temperatures | Weather | News

Britain could be bracing for an unexpected end-of-season snowfall within days.

Latest weather maps show wintry conditions arriving from May 3; Snowflakes initially appear around noon and spread to 17 districts by the evening of May 7.

Snow showers are expected to intensify by midnight on May 4, with heavier and more persistent showers expected across the Highlands and Argyll and Bute. Temperatures are also expected to drop sharply, with forecasts showing as low as -3C as the cold weather takes hold.

Maps prepared on April 25 show the mercury dropping as freezing conditions persist.

Although there is no reference to snow in the Met Office’s long-term forecast for 29 April to 8 May, it warns that conditions may become increasingly unstable, with occasional showers and prolonged rain expected to prevail.

He writes: “High pressure is likely near the UK at the beginning of this period.

“Most locations will be sunny and slightly windy, but there may also be mist and mist overnight. Conditions are likely to become more variable during the first week of May, with low pressure systems becoming more likely.

“This means an increased chance of showers or longer rain, with the risk of strong winds at times. Temperatures are likely to be close to or slightly above normal.” The Met Office previously explained why Britain’s snow forecasts were more complex than those in continental Europe due to rapidly changing conditions.

“Small changes in temperature or wind direction can mean the difference between rain, sleet or snow,” the website said. “Meteorologists use high-resolution models to predict the type of precipitation, but these models can struggle with marginal situations where temperatures are around freezing.

“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.”