Fresh weather maps are predicting a significant Arctic blast will sweep across the United Kingdom next week, bringing snowfall to as many as 13 counties from northern Scotland down to Greater London. The wintry spell is expected to disrupt the relatively settled conditions forecast for the end of the year.
Snowfall Timeline and Affected Regions
According to data from WXCharts, which utilises MetDesk information, the first flurries are likely to arrive in most of Scotland on the afternoon of Wednesday, January 1. Areas including Aberdeen and Perth are set for continuous snowfall.
By Thursday, January 2, the snow is forecast to spread further south within Scotland, reaching Inverness, and extend across the north of Northern Ireland and into parts of northern England. The Pennines are expected to be particularly affected.
The cold snap intensifies on Friday, January 3. Around 6pm that evening, snow is predicted to reach parts of South West England, with patches covering areas within Greater London and Essex.
Counties Forecast for Snow on January 3
The following counties have been identified by the snow maps as likely to see snowfall by Friday, January 3:
- Scotland: Aberdeenshire, Angus, Perth and Kinross, Moray, Highland (including Inverness).
- Northern England: Northumberland, County Durham, Cumbria, North Yorkshire, West Yorkshire.
- Southern England: Essex, Greater London.
Met Office Long-Range Forecast
The national weather service's outlook for the period from Tuesday, December 30, to Thursday, January 8, confirms the shift to more unsettled conditions. The Met Office states that high pressure dominating the UK will move away around the turn of the year.
This change will usher in "more changeable conditions" with an increased chance of rain or showers. Crucially, with cold air in place, this precipitation brings a heightened risk of "wintry hazards to some places."
Temperatures for this period are expected to be near or slightly below the seasonal average, sustaining the potential for snow and ice, especially in the regions highlighted by the detailed snow maps.
