Britain is set for a wintry blast as fresh weather maps indicate up to ten counties across England and Scotland will see snowfall over the coming weekend. The cold snap is forecast to bring a three-day period of disruptive weather, with the most widespread snow expected in the early hours of Saturday.
Which Counties Will See Snow?
The snowfall is predicted to occur between Friday, December 5, and Sunday, December 7. According to the latest projections, the most intense period will be around 3am on Saturday, December 6.
On Saturday, the English counties most likely to be affected are:
- Northumberland
- County Durham
- North Yorkshire
- West Yorkshire
In Scotland, the counties in the firing line include:
- Aberdeenshire
- Moray
- Highland
- Angus
On Friday and Sunday, the snowy conditions are expected to be largely confined to Scotland, with England likely to experience wet weather instead.
Met Office Warnings in Force
The Met Office has issued a broader warning, indicating that snow is likely to fall over higher ground from December 5 right through to December 14. This weekend's event is just the beginning of a more prolonged period of wintry risk.
As of Monday, December 1, the national forecaster has four active weather warnings. Most notably, an amber rain alert for central and south Wales has been issued, warning of a potential "danger to life" from persistent heavy rain. This alert, affecting areas including Blaenau Gwent, Bridgend, and Caerphilly, remains in place until the end of the day.
Furthermore, two separate yellow rain warnings cover large swathes of the country from midnight on Monday until 3am on Tuesday. These warnings encompass regions such as:
- The East Midlands
- North West England
- SW Scotland
A third yellow rain alert is active until 9pm on Monday, covering Central, Tayside & Fife, North East England, North West England, SW Scotland, Lothian Borders, and Strathclyde.
Preparing for the Winter Onslaught
This early December snowfall serves as a sharp reminder that winter is firmly taking hold. The combination of existing heavy rain and the imminent snow forecast suggests a period of significant travel disruption is possible, particularly in northern England and Scotland. Residents in the affected counties are advised to stay updated with the latest Met Office forecasts and warnings, and to plan journeys accordingly over the weekend.
With the Met Office highlighting a risk of snow on higher ground for over a week, this weekend's weather may be a precursor to further wintry conditions as we move deeper into December.
