Britain is bracing for a significant return to wintry conditions later this month, with weather maps forecasting a potent Arctic blast that could dump up to 30 centimetres of snow in a major blizzard event.
Purple Snow Maps Signal Major Disruption
Forecast charts from WXCharts have turned a deep purple over large swathes of the country, indicating the intensity of the incoming snowfall. The most severe conditions are expected on Monday, January 26, as a specific low-pressure system moves in from the north-west.
This system is predicted to bring the heaviest snow to northern England and Scotland, with cities like Glasgow, Manchester, Sheffield, and Leeds in the firing line. Significant accumulations are also possible in Wales, affecting Cardiff and Swansea.
Bitter Temperatures Accompany Snowfall
The snow will be accompanied by a sharp drop in temperatures as frigid air sweeps southwards from the Arctic. The mercury is forecast to plummet to a bone-chilling -4°C in central and western Scotland.
Even in the typically milder regions of southern England, temperatures are expected to hover in the low single figures, making it feel bitterly cold nationwide.
Met Office Warns of 'Winter Hazards'
The Met Office's longer-range forecast highlights the potential for unsettled and hazardous conditions. For the period from January 17 to 26, it warns of low-pressure systems moving in from the Atlantic, bringing rain and wind for many.
The forecast states: "There are also likely to be some drier, more settled periods though, mainly towards the east. Temperatures will probably be near normal overall, though the possibility exists for some colder spells in the north and east, with the potential for associated winter hazards."
Before this late-month freeze, the UK faces a week of wet and windy weather. The Met Office has issued yellow weather warnings for ice across much of Scotland and for rain across southern England and Wales.
This serves as a reminder that after a brief milder respite, winter is far from over, and hats and gloves will be essential for the remainder of January.
