Britain is preparing for a prolonged and severe bout of wintry weather, with advanced forecasting models indicating a nine-day snow event could blanket the entire country starting next week. The charts suggest some regions, particularly the Scottish Highlands, could see accumulations of up to 75 centimetres, roughly 30 inches, of snow.
Storm Timeline: From Atlantic Onslaught to National Blanket
According to the GFS model, the wintry chaos is set to begin late on Monday, January 27. A storm system sweeping in from the Atlantic is predicted to bring initial snowfalls to Northern Ireland, Wales, and south-west England.
Throughout Tuesday, January 28, the flurries are expected to push eastwards, affecting Scotland, the Midlands, and the south-east. Major population centres including Glasgow, Edinburgh, Birmingham, and London are all projected to see snow on this day.
The intensity is forecast to ramp up on Wednesday, January 29, with heavy snow likely in southern England during the evening. Cities such as Plymouth, Bristol, Southampton, and again London could be impacted.
Peak Intensity and Widespread Coverage
Thursday, January 30 is marked for the most intense snow in north-east England, with severe flurries indicated for Newcastle. Aberdeen, Dundee, and parts of East Anglia may also see falls.
The cold spell shows little sign of relenting as January ends. On Friday, January 31, a massive swathe of England including East Anglia, the Midlands, and southern regions is again in line for snow, with London remaining a focal point.
Sporadic snow is expected to continue across much of the UK over the weekend of February 1 and 2. A significant return of heavy snow is then charted for northern England, especially Newcastle, on Monday, February 3.
Projected Snow Depths and Official Outlook
By the morning of Tuesday, February 4, snow coverage maps suggest every inch of the UK could have some snow on the ground. The projected snow depths over the nine-day period are striking:
- Scottish Highlands: Up to 75cm (30 inches)
- Parts of northern England: Up to 46cm (18 inches)
- Wales and south-east England: Around 16cm (6 inches)
- Midlands and south-west: 7cm to 8cm
The Met Office's own forecast for late January into early February acknowledges the potential for snow. Its outlook for January 24 to February 2 states the UK will be in a battleground between Atlantic systems and high pressure to the north.
It warns of rain or showers, potentially heavy, especially in the south and west, with drier spells in the far north. The forecast adds: "It is likely to turn somewhat colder through this period, bringing the risk of some snow, more especially on hills in Scotland and northern England." However, the national weather service currently does not anticipate snow to be as widespread as the GFS model suggests.
Preparation Advised as Uncertainty Remains
While the detailed, long-range maps paint a dramatic picture of a week-long snow event, meteorologists often caution that such forecasts can change. The difference in scale between the model predictions and the Met Office's current advisory highlights the inherent uncertainty in long-range weather modelling.
Nevertheless, the consistent signal across multiple model runs for a significant cold snap with substantial snow has prompted attention. Residents across the UK, particularly in the highlighted regions and major cities, are advised to monitor updated forecasts from trusted sources like the Met Office as the potential event draws nearer.
