Met Office Snow Forecast: Three UK Areas Braced for Arctic Flurries Before Tuesday
The Met Office has issued a stark warning of "wintry hazards" across the United Kingdom, with three specific regions facing significant snow flurries before next Tuesday. This alert comes as the country grapples with unsettled weather patterns, driven by cold Arctic air clashing with Atlantic low-pressure systems.
Targeted Snow Warnings for Key Regions
According to the national weather agency, the primary areas at risk of heavy snow are eastern Scotland, the north-east of England, and northern hills. These regions are expected to experience the brunt of the Arctic flurries, with weather maps indicating potential accumulations of up to 50cm in parts of central Scotland tonight. The Met Office emphasises that the unsettled conditions will persist, bringing a mix of rain, hill snow, and coastal gales.
Storm Ingrid Compounds Weather Challenges
Compounding the wintry forecast is Storm Ingrid, named by the Portuguese weather service, which is currently affecting south-west England and Wales. The storm has prompted a yellow Met Office warning for rain and strong winds, valid until 9am tomorrow. Additionally, a rain alert remains in place for central and eastern Scotland until 9am on Sunday. Met Office Chief Forecaster Andy Page commented, "Unsettled weather continues for many across the UK with persistent and heavy rain in parts of Scotland with snow over higher ground, and strong winds and heavy rain in southwestern England and southern Wales."
Detailed Forecast: From Weekend to Tuesday
The Met Office provides a granular outlook for the coming days:
- Tonight: Unsettled with bands of rain moving north across much of the country, further hill snow likely across eastern Scotland. Frequent showers later in the southwest with coastal gales.
- Saturday: Rain and hill snow across the northeast easing. Elsewhere, showers often merging into longer spells of rain at times, particularly across the southwest. Widely windy with coastal gales.
- Sunday to Tuesday: Conditions will turn colder from the northeast, with an increasing risk of snow, particularly over northern hills. A new frontal system is expected to approach from the west by Monday, bringing rain into Northern Ireland and western Britain, which may turn to snow over higher ground like the Pennines and Scottish mountains.
Longer-Term Snow Predictions
Looking ahead, weather maps from WXCharts suggest that by Tuesday, a further low-pressure system arriving from the Atlantic could bring more heavy snow, especially to northern areas, with flurries also possible in England and Wales. The Met Office advises residents in affected regions to stay updated on warnings and prepare for potential travel disruptions and cold conditions.
