New weather maps suggest temperatures could drop as low as -7C in parts of the UK before snow falls later this month, according to the latest GFS weather model data.
The model shows temperatures falling to 5C in the south-east of England at midday on November 21, with 3C in South Wales, 2C in the Midlands, -4C in northern parts of England and -7C in northern Scotland.
Snow expected across northern England and Scotland
The same weather model shows snow could arrive at midnight on November 21, landing across the north-west of England and southern parts of Scotland. Precipitation is expected to come down as rain in Wales and elsewhere in England.
By 3am on November 22, the maps show more intense snow falling across northern England as well as southern and central Scotland. Where flurries are most intense, the GFS model data suggests snow could fall at a rate of up to 1cm per hour.
Snow depth and affected counties
Snow coverage maps suggest 10cm (four inches) of snow could settle on the ground over the Pennines, with 6cm (2.3 inches) settling in the Yorkshire Dales and 4cm (1.6 inches) in southern Scotland.
In total, the maps show snow landing in 24 counties, all in northern England or Scotland. The counties in England are Derbyshire, Cheshire, Lancashire, Yorkshire, Cumbria, Durham and Northumberland. In Scotland, the affected counties are Buteshire, Renfrewshire, Lanarkshire, Wigtownshire, Dumfriesshire, Selkirkshire, Peeblesshire, Ayrshire, Kirkcudbrightshire, Roxburghshire, West Lothian, Midlothian, East Lothian, Berwickshire, Dunbarton, Stirlingshire and Argyllshire.
Met Office forecast and cold health alerts
The Met Office says the coming days will be a “noticeably chillier day under northerly winds”, with breezy conditions around coastal areas. “Wintry showers” are expected in the far north of the UK, although elsewhere will be “largely dry with plenty of sunshine”.
For the rest of the week, the national weather agency says conditions will be “feeling chilly… with plenty of sunny spells on offer by day and frost by night”. Northern areas will see further “blustery showers”.
Forecasters say temperatures could plunge as low as -6C in rural areas overnight this week. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has issued yellow cold health alerts for the West Midlands and the north-west of England, due to come into force at 9am on Thursday.
