The Met Office has issued a weather forecast indicating that widespread snow is likely to affect parts of the United Kingdom this weekend, with northern areas particularly at risk. This prediction comes as the national weather agency warns of a significant shift to colder conditions, following recent milder spells.
Weekend Weather Outlook
For Friday, the Met Office expects Northern Ireland and Scotland to experience some sunshine, while rain moves southward across the country. Snow is anticipated around coastal areas during this period. Southern regions will remain cloudy and wet initially, but this gloomy weather is forecast to clear as the day progresses.
Saturday and Sunday Forecasts
Saturday will feel much colder than recent days, despite the possibility of bright skies and sunny spells. However, Sunday is predicted to bring more severe conditions, with the Met Office stating that it will turn wetter with widespread snow likely across the north. The agency adds that unsettled weather will persist into next week, with showers or longer spells of rain expected from February 17 to 26.
Further Weather Details
Occasional strong winds are also forecast, along with heavy rain in some locations. More snow is possible in northern regions, particularly over high ground. Temperatures are expected to vary from around average to cold at times later in February. While unsettled weather is likely to continue, there may be some drier interludes between weather systems. Later in the period, there is a chance that more prolonged drier and settled conditions may begin to develop.
BBC Weather Perspective
BBC Weather provides additional context, noting that the widespread cold will be temporary. High pressure to the north is most probably weakening and could be replaced by weak low pressure near Iceland by the end of the week. This shift should allow broadly south-westerly wind flows to develop at times, bringing milder air across the UK. Scotland may remain chillier with temperatures close to seasonal overall or slightly below.
There is higher confidence for a milder period in southern regions of the UK. This more Atlantic-influenced regime will bring periods of wet and windy weather as frontal systems cross the UK, with above-average rainfall amounts expected. This could mean further risks of local flooding, particularly in parts of southern and south-western UK, and in South Wales. Snow could occur on the colder leading edge of these rain bands, especially over higher ground in northern areas.
There is a signal for high pressure to build over the eastern Atlantic between weather systems, delivering brighter but chillier interludes with some wintry showers on north to north-westerly winds.
