Weather forecasting maps are predicting a significant winter event for the United Kingdom next week, with a vast 388-mile 'wall of snow' expected to sweep across numerous counties. The wintry conditions are forecast to arrive on Tuesday, January 27, bringing widespread disruption and turning weather charts predominantly white across large swathes of the country.
Extensive Snowfall Predicted for England and Wales
According to detailed projections from WX Charts, the snow band is set to initially hit the South West of England and sections of Wales at approximately 6am on Tuesday. From there, it will move steadily in an easterly direction throughout the day, blanketing county after county. The West Midlands is expected to be under significant snowfall by midday, with flurries predicted to continue until 6am on Wednesday, January 28, resulting in an 18-hour period of wintry weather for that region.
Two Southern Counties Expected to Dodge the Blizzard
While nearly every English county is forecast to experience some level of snowfall during this event, two southern counties appear likely to escape the worst of the blizzard. Cornwall and Hampshire are the only areas currently predicted to dodge the accumulating snow, according to the latest modelling. This sparing of the far southwest and a section of the central south coast presents a stark contrast to the conditions expected elsewhere.
The Met Office's extended outlook, covering January 25 to February 3, supports the likelihood of colder conditions developing. Their forecast states that weather systems moving in from the Atlantic will tend to stall near the UK as they encounter high pressure to the north and northeast. This setup is conducive to colder air filtering southwards.
"Whilst mild conditions are expected to encroach into the south and southwest at times, it is likely to turn somewhat colder through this period, bringing the risk of some snow showers, most likely across hills in Scotland and northern England," the Met Office advisory notes. This broader context of a cooling trend aligns with the specific predictions for the significant snow event on January 27.
Public Advised to Prepare for Disruption
This forecast follows recent alerts from the Met Office regarding chillier weather approaching towards the end of January. The public, particularly in areas expecting heavy snowfall, is advised to monitor updates and prepare for potential travel disruption. The predicted scale of the snow band, stretching nearly 400 miles, suggests this could be one of the more widespread winter weather events of the season so far.
