The United Kingdom is bracing for a significant wintry blast this week, with advanced weather models predicting widespread snow that could blanket several major cities, including London.
Snow Timeline and Expected Accumulation
The snowfall is projected to begin over Scotland on Tuesday afternoon, directly impacting Glasgow and Edinburgh. The system will then push southwards overnight, reaching northern England and continuing its journey into Wednesday morning. By Wednesday, the cold front is expected to affect a vast swathe of the country, including Northern Ireland, Wales, the Midlands, and the south-east of England.
Data from the GFS weather model indicates that as much as 18cm of snow could settle on high ground in Scotland. In England, the Pennines could see accumulations of up to 9cm. However, in major urban centres and towns, any settling snow is likely to be less than 1cm.
Key Cities and Regions at Risk
Weather coverage maps for Wednesday afternoon paint a stark picture, showing snow on the ground in numerous population hubs. Affected areas are forecast to include London, Ipswich, Greater Manchester, Newcastle, Glasgow, Edinburgh, Dundee, and Aberdeen.
While the most widespread snow is expected to subside by Thursday, some flurries may persist in northern and eastern regions, such as the North York Moors, north-east England, and north-east Scotland.
Official Weather Warnings and Forecasts
Leading forecasters have echoed this wintry prediction. The Met Office has warned of cold conditions and potential snow and ice hazards. Deputy Chief Meteorologist Dan Holley stated, “This will bring much colder conditions than of late... with temperatures dipping as low as -7C in places next week.” He also highlighted a marked wind chill from a brisk northerly Arctic flow.
Similarly, BBC Weather has forecast "wintry showers" for the period from Tuesday to Thursday, noting that showery rain will turn wintry on northern hills. Netweather forecaster Nick Finnis added that Wednesday and Thursday will be particularly cold, with temperatures struggling to reach 3-6C and a risk of widespread overnight frost throughout the week.
