Weather maps are indicating that the United Kingdom could be hit by two significant blizzard events as soon as next week, with major cities including London potentially facing severe winter conditions. The latest data suggests a dramatic shift towards icy precipitation and substantial snowfall across numerous regions.
Widespread Blizzard Conditions Forecast
According to detailed analysis from WXCharts, which utilises MetDesk meteorological data, blizzard-like conditions could impact towns and cities across Scotland, Wales, southern England and the Midlands from Tuesday, January 27. The forecast indicates that Atlantic weather systems pushing in from the west will bring a particularly frosty start to Tuesday morning, with snow potentially settling in some areas by Thursday, January 29.
Major Cities in the Firing Line
London, Bristol, Birmingham and Swansea are among the prominent urban centres that appear set to experience icy precipitation, which could fall as snow at times during this two-day period next week. Parts of Scotland, particularly in the northern and eastern regions, could also encounter cold and snowy weather patterns that may disrupt normal activities.
A specific snow map for Thursday evening suggests that snowfall could become widespread across the UK, with much of Scotland and Wales affected significantly. Snow may also sweep across parts of England, potentially blanketing the Pennines region. Areas around Manchester, Stoke-on-Trent and Birmingham are among those that could see snow settling, especially on higher ground and later in the evening as temperatures continue to fall.
Met Office Long-Range Forecast
In its extended forecast covering Monday, January 26 through Wednesday, February 4, the Met Office states: "Weather systems moving in from the Atlantic will continue to attempt to push in from the west, but tending to stall in the vicinity of the UK as they encounter high pressure to the north and northeast."
The national weather service further explains: "As a result, further spells of rain or showers are likely at times. These may be heavy and persistent, especially in the south and west, with the best of any drier interludes in the far north and northeast. Whilst mild conditions are expected to encroach into the south and southwest at times, it is likely to turn somewhat colder through this period, bringing the risk of some snow, most likely across hills in Scotland and northern England, but perhaps extending to other areas with time."
Current Weather Warnings in Effect
Meanwhile, four separate rain warnings remain in force today (Thursday), including a serious "danger to life" amber alert. The yellow alert, effective from 8am this morning until late afternoon, covers parts of South West England and Wales. The Met Office stated in this alert, issued at 4.38am today: "Heavy rain leading to some flooding and travel disruption on Thursday."
Another yellow alert covers Northern Ireland from 10am until the end of the day, while an additional yellow warning, which came into force on Wednesday, affects central and eastern Scotland until the end of Friday. An amber warning, which commenced overnight, remains in place for Central, Tayside & Fife and Grampian regions until 6pm today, highlighting the ongoing severe weather concerns across multiple parts of the country.
