The Met Office has confirmed that snow could arrive in the UK this week, with the first flurries of the winter potentially breaking out as early as Wednesday. The forecaster predicts that fog and frost will give way to snow showers, with colder conditions expected on Thursday and Friday.
Snow Forecast for Wednesday and Thursday
Met Office Chief Meteorologist Jason Kelly said: "Snow showers could briefly fall on lower ground in northern Scotland and the Northern Isles, mainly Shetland, overnight on Wednesday and into Thursday. However, snow may only settle on higher ground and this is relatively normal for the time of year."
The forecaster has issued a yellow weather warning for fog on Monday and into Tuesday for England, but by Wednesday this could turn into snow showers. This comes just days after Met Office weather experts cautioned that the Polar Vortex could be disrupted in a matter of weeks, sending a blast of icy cold air to the UK and bringing risks of ice, fog, frost and snow as conditions turn colder.
Detailed Forecast for Tuesday and Wednesday
The Met Office said in its latest forecast issued on Monday: "During Tuesday, cloud and outbreaks of rain will spread north across much of England and Wales, with some heavier bursts possible in the southwest later. Elsewhere, many places will remain dry with sunny spells, although fog and low cloud could be slow to clear. Temperatures will generally be near or a little below average."
It added: "Tuesday night will remain cloudy across southern areas with further outbreaks of rain, heavy at times in the southwest. Elsewhere, clearer conditions will allow frost to develop across many northern areas, alongside some patches of fog. By Wednesday, colder conditions will begin to move into the north. Rain will continue across parts of southern England and Wales, while showers move south across Scotland, becoming wintry at times in the far north and northeast. Strong winds are also expected in the far northeast."
Colder Air Spreads South on Thursday and Friday
The forecaster said these colder conditions could then spread further south into England. It added: "Through Thursday and Friday, colder air will spread further south across the UK. Most places will become dry with some clear or sunny spells, although showers remain possible in the north and parts of the east, some of these wintry over high ground in Scotland. Temperatures are expected to fall below average widely by Thursday and particularly Friday, as frost becomes more widespread. The far northeast will also feel particularly cold in stronger winds."
