New weather maps have revealed that a pair of powerful blizzards are poised to strike the United Kingdom in mid-February, threatening to bury as many as 51 cities across England under heavy snowfall. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are also expected to face substantial snow coverage from the twin winter storms.
First Blizzard Timeline and Impact
According to the latest GFS weather model data, the initial blizzard is projected to hit the UK around 9pm on February 16. This first snowfront will bring intense snowfall to South Wales initially, before expanding across several English counties including Gloucestershire, Worcestershire, Warwickshire, Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire.
The meteorological data indicates that Wales will experience the most severe snowfall during the opening hours of this weather event. However, the precipitation is forecast to spread eastward throughout the following hours, eventually covering most of England with significant snow accumulation.
Major Urban Centers Affected
Weather maps for approximately 3am on February 17 show a substantial band of snow stretching from Wales across to East Anglia and the southeastern regions of England. This weather pattern will directly impact major population centers including London and Birmingham, potentially causing significant disruption to transportation and daily activities.
Second Snowfront Development
A secondary blizzard is then tracked to move across the UK during the evening of February 17. Meteorological projections for 6pm that day indicate snowfall extending from the far northern reaches of Scotland all the way down to England's southern coastline. This second weather system is similarly expected to drift eastward across the country.
Snow coverage charts for the morning of February 18 present an alarming picture, with almost every inch of the United Kingdom shaded in purple - representing snow settled on the ground. The cumulative effect of both blizzards means that numerous urban areas across England will face substantial winter weather challenges.
Comprehensive List of Affected Cities
The 51 English cities identified as potentially impacted by the twin blizzards include:
- Bath
- Birmingham
- Bradford
- Bristol
- Cambridge
- Canterbury
- Chelmsford
- Chester
- Chichester
- Colchester
- Coventry
- Derby
- Doncaster
- Durham
- Ely
- Exeter
- Gloucester
- Hereford
- Hull
- Lancaster
- Leeds
- Leicester
- Lichfield
- Lincoln
- Liverpool
- London
- Manchester
- Milton Keynes
- Newcastle upon Tyne
- Nottingham
- Oxford
- Peterborough
- Plymouth
- Portsmouth
- Preston
- Ripon
- Salford
- Salisbury
- Sheffield
- Southampton
- Southend-on-Sea
- St Albans
- Stoke-on-Trent
- Sunderland
- Wakefield
- Wells
- Westminster
- Winchester
- Wolverhampton
- Worcester
- York
Official Meteorological Assessment
The Met Office has confirmed that snow is "likely" in various locations across the UK later this month. Their official forecast for the period spanning February 10 to 19 states: "Predominantly cyclonic patterns are expected to dominate the UK. Further fronts are likely to approach the UK at times and then become slow-moving as they butt up against high pressure to the north or northeast of the UK."
The meteorological service further explains: "Thus some southern and western areas remain most prone to seeing the wettest conditions, which will maintain sensitivity to further flooding impacts. Parts of northeast Britain may also be wetter than normal. Some snow is likely, especially in any colder airmasses that filter south or east into the UK and/or on the interface between mild and cold air. Strong winds are also possible at times. Temperatures will remain finely balanced during this period, with northeastern areas more likely to be colder than average, and southwestern areas perhaps seeing mild conditions at times."
This detailed forecast underscores the complex meteorological conditions expected during this period, with the potential for significant snowfall across multiple regions of the United Kingdom. Residents in affected areas are advised to monitor weather updates closely and prepare for potential winter weather disruptions throughout mid-February.
