UK Braces for Intense Five-Day Snow Event as Maps Turn Purple
Britain is preparing for a significant cold snap, with meteorological models forecasting a substantial five-day snowfall that will impact the entire country next week. This follows earlier snowfalls that have already affected large parts of the UK at the beginning of 2026.
Detailed Snowfall Timeline and Projections
According to weather maps from WXCHARTS, the snow event is scheduled to commence on Friday, 13 February, and persist through to Tuesday, 17 February. The initial projections indicate that Scotland could bear the brunt of the snowfall, with accumulations potentially reaching up to 51 inches in some areas.
By 6am on the opening day, snowfall rates may intensify to approximately 20mm per hour, affecting regions including north Wales, the Midlands, and the East of England. The cold front is expected to sweep across the UK by Sunday, 15 February, at 6am, bringing widespread wintry conditions.
Temperature Plunge and Geographic Impact
The weather maps display icy blue hues representing temperatures ranging from 0°C to -3°C across most of the country. Only the southernmost part of Cornwall is anticipated to experience slightly milder conditions, with temperatures around 8°C.
Valentine's Day might offer a brief respite in the weather, but patches of rain and snow are still likely, primarily in Scotland and Wales, as reported by the Express. By midnight on Monday, 16 February, extensive areas of the UK are forecasted to be blanketed in snow.
Visual Indicators and Meteorological Challenges
The maps depict almost the entirety of the UK swathed in purple, a colour signifying snowfall. This extends from the Scottish Highlands all the way down to Plymouth, with very few regions escaping the wintry onslaught.
By Tuesday, 17 February, the snow is predicted to reach as far south as the Midlands, while the south of England appears to be drier. However, the Met Office cautions that forecasting snowfall remains notoriously challenging due to its variable nature.
Official Forecast and Long-Term Outlook
A Met Office forecast states: "Predominantly cyclonic patterns are expected to dominate the UK. The early part of this period could see colder conditions becoming established more widely for a time, bringing with it the likelihood of some snow.
Milder and wetter weather may however hang on in the far south. By the end of this period, the track of Atlantic depressions may shift a little further north than during the last few weeks.
This will maintain broadly unsettled weather, with further spells of rain and perhaps strong winds at times.
Many parts may become somewhat milder, given more of a westerly influence, though there remains the chance that colder conditions could linger towards the northeast."
