The United Kingdom is preparing for a significant return to bitterly cold weather, with forecasters warning of heavy snowfall and prolonged wintry hazards extending from late January into February.
After a brief milder spell, a deep freeze is expected to reclaim the nation, bringing the potential for up to 83 centimetres of snow in some regions. Both the Met Office and BBC have highlighted the risk of disruptive conditions as low-pressure systems sweep in.
Late January Snowfall: The Initial Blast
Maps from WXCharts indicate a severe weather event for January 31, with dark purple zones signalling heavy snow across much of England and Wales. Flurries are anticipated UK-wide.
Projected accumulations are substantial, with central Scotland potentially seeing the most extreme totals of 83cm. Significant falls are also forecast for Wales (44cm) and north-west England (32cm). This unsettled pattern is driven by low-pressure systems from the north and west colliding with frigid Arctic air.
Met Office Outlook: Cold Spell to Persist into February
The national forecaster's prediction for January 30 to February 13 suggests a weather pattern with low pressure to the west or south-west and high pressure to the north-east. This setup significantly raises the chance of cold conditions gripping the UK.
The Met Office explicitly warns of an "increased chance of cold conditions" and the associated risk of "wintry hazards at times". While confidence decreases later in February, the current outlook points to a sustained period of cold, potentially wintry weather before any recovery to average temperatures.
BBC Weather Forecast: Two Scenarios for Early February
Echoing the uncertainty, the BBC outlines two potential scenarios for the period from January 26 to February 8. The first involves high pressure to the north-east influencing the UK with easterly winds, leading to "temperatures below average" and possible "wintry conditions".
The alternative sees Atlantic weather systems making more progress, bringing a milder, rainier regime. The BBC notes that colder conditions may persist through late January, with any switch to milder weather potentially occurring by the end of the first week of February, though timing remains problematic.
Residents across the UK are advised to stay updated with the latest forecasts from the Met Office and BBC as the situation develops, with travel disruption and icy conditions likely during this period of wintry hazards.
