Britain is on alert for a severe return of Arctic weather, with fresh forecasts predicting blizzards, temperatures as low as -13C, and snow accumulations of up to half a metre in some regions before the end of January.
Widespread Snow Threat for Dozens of Cities
According to the latest projections from WXCharts, a significant swathe of the country could be impacted by heavy snowfall on Thursday, January 29. The data suggests snowfall rates could reach 10mm per hour in parts of Scotland, north-west England, south-west England, and Wales.
This intense activity is expected to lead to substantial snow build-up. The forecasts indicate that 30cm of snow could blanket several English areas, including major urban centres like Manchester, Birmingham, Bristol, and London. The Midlands, Somerset, and Devon are also in line for significant accumulations.
Northern Britain faces the most extreme predictions. The north of Scotland, still recovering from the recent Storm Goretti, could be buried under 50cm of snow. The north-west of England may see up to 23cm.
A Bitter Deep Freeze to Grip the Nation
Accompanying the snow will be a dangerous plunge in temperatures. The coldest conditions are expected in Scotland, where the mercury could drop to a brutal -13C. Across the rest of the UK, widespread lows of around -4C are anticipated, raising serious concerns about ice, travel disruption, and public health.
The Met Office has acknowledged the growing potential for this severe wintry spell. In its outlook for January 20 to 29, it states that while milder Atlantic air may dominate initially, conditions are likely to turn colder later in the period.
The forecast highlights: "There is an increased chance that conditions will turn colder... the potential transition to colder weather also increases the chance of snow across parts of the country."
Full List of 58 Cities and Towns in the Snow Warning
The detailed projections have identified a long list of urban areas that could be affected by the impending snow. Residents in the following locations are advised to stay updated with the latest forecasts:
- Oxford, Milton Keynes, Cambridge, Peterborough, Ely
- Coventry, Leicester, Salisbury, Winchester, Chichester
- Bristol, Bath, Gloucester, Hereford, Worcester
- Cardiff, Newport, Wrexham, Bangor (Wales)
- Stoke, Wolverhampton, Birmingham, Lichfield, Derby, Nottingham, Lincoln
- Sheffield, Salford, Chester, Manchester, Liverpool, Preston, Lancaster
- Doncaster, Wakefield, Hull, Bradford, Leeds, York, Ripon
- Sunderland, Durham, Newcastle, Carlisle
- Edinburgh, Glasgow, Stirling, Perth, Dundee, Aberdeen, Inverness
- Belfast, Bangor (NI), Derry/Londonderry, Lisburn, Armagh, Newry
This new threat follows closely on the heels of Storm Goretti, which earlier this month brought destructive 99mph winds and dumped 27cm of snow in places, forcing the issuance of a red weather warning. The UK now braces for what could be another multi-hazard winter event.
