UK Braces for 600-Mile Blizzard as Weather Maps Predict Widespread Snowfall
The United Kingdom is preparing for a severe weather event this weekend, with the latest forecasts indicating a potential 600-mile blizzard that could bury up to 80 counties under heavy snow. According to updated weather maps from WXCharts.com, the snow is expected to stretch from Scotland all the way down to Cornwall, creating significant travel disruptions and hazardous conditions across the nation.
Forecast Details and Regional Impacts
Meteorological predictions suggest that snowfall will begin on Sunday, February 15, with the north of England likely to see accumulations of up to 8 centimetres. However, Scotland faces the harshest conditions, where some northern areas could receive up to 1 metre of snow. The Midlands, south west England, Wales, and parts of Cornwall, Devon, and Somerset are also anticipated to be impacted, with snowfall rates potentially reaching 10 millimetres per hour in certain regions.
In contrast, southern and south western England are more likely to experience heavy rain instead of snow, adding to the challenging weather mix. The Met Office has already issued a weather warning for snow and ice, effective for Scotland and the north of England until midday on Friday, February 13. Their forecast warns of weather "turning wetter on Sunday with widespread snow likely across the north", as reported by the Express.
Full List of Affected Counties
The extensive list of counties expected to be affected includes:
- England: Devon, Somerset, Dorset, Wiltshire, Gloucestershire, Herefordshire, Worcestershire, Shropshire, Staffordshire, Cheshire, Merseyside, Greater Manchester, Lancashire, West Yorkshire, East Yorkshire, South Yorkshire, North Yorkshire, Cumbria, Durham, Northumberland.
- Scotland: Aberdeen City, Aberdeenshire, Angus, Argyll and Bute, City of Edinburgh, Clackmannanshire, Dumfries and Galloway, Dundee City, East Ayrshire, East Dunbartonshire, East Lothian, East Renfrewshire, Falkirk, Fife, Glasgow City, Highland, Inverclyde, Midlothian, Moray, Na h-Eileanan Siar (Western Isles), North Ayrshire, North Lanarkshire, Orkney Islands, Perth and Kinross, Renfrewshire, Scottish Borders, Shetland Islands, South Ayrshire, South Lanarkshire, Stirling, West Dunbartonshire, West Lothian.
- Wales: Blaenau Gwent, Bridgend, Caerphilly, Cardiff, Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion, Conwy, Denbighshire, Flintshire, Gwynedd, Isle of Anglesey, Merthyr Tydfil, Monmouthshire, Neath Port Talbot, Newport, Pembrokeshire, Powys, Rhondda Cynon Taf, Swansea, Torfaen, Vale of Glamorgan, Wrexham.
- Northern Ireland: Antrim, Armagh, Down, Fermanagh, Derry/Londonderry, Tyrone.
Met Office Warnings and Safety Advice
The Met Office's detailed forecast highlights that "outbreaks of rain will fall as snow over higher hills initially, before the snow starts to fall to lower levels through Thursday evening." They note that any settling snow will mainly be confined to high ground above 200 metres, where 2 to 5 centimetres is possible, and above 300 metres, some locations may see as much as 10 centimetres. The rain and snow are expected to clear south during the early hours of Friday, with temperatures dropping quickly as skies clear, leading to ice on untreated surfaces.
Residents across the affected areas are advised to stay updated with local weather alerts, avoid unnecessary travel, and prepare for potential power outages and road closures. Emergency services are on high alert to respond to incidents, and the public is urged to take precautions to ensure safety during this severe weather event.
