Met Office warns of ‘climate battle’ as sleet and snow set to take over UK
As the UK continues to recover from the effects of Storm Goretti earlier this month, the Met Office has confirmed that the unsettled weather will not be going away any time soon
The UK gearing up for a real weather ‘battle’ in the coming weeks(Image: Met Office)
Forecasters have warned Brits that a huge “weather battle” will be taking place right over the UK from next week. It comes as temperatures continue to fluctuate massively between mild and subzero levels.
Britain and Ireland have been slammed with tough weather systems to kick off 2026, and it appears that the unseasonable weather will not be ending any time soon. This comes in the wake of Storm Goretti, which caused havoc across the country, bringing snowstorms and leaving dozens to fight the elements.
But now, with temperatures looking set to drop again this week, the Met Office has warned that it will be a tale of two halves for Britain. And if you were hoping that the unpredictable weather could be over and done with in the next few days, you might be disappointed.
In its midterm forecast for the coming fortnight, the Met Office warned that there will be a huge clash between conflicting weather fronts right above us. This will mean the country could be split down the middle in how good or bad the weather will be where you live.
The forecast says in its initial look from Friday (January 23) to February 1: “Throughout this period, the UK will see a battle between Atlantic weather systems attempting to push in from the west while high pressure and colder, drier conditions attempt to exert some influence from the east. Initially, milder Atlantic air is expected to dominate for most parts, with showers or longer spells of rain.
“Temperatures are likely to be around or a little above average, except in the far northeast where it is likely to be colder with some sleet or snow. There is then an increased chance that conditions will turn more widely colder and drier.
“This aspect of the forecast is still somewhat uncertain. But the potential transition to colder weather also increases the chance of snow across parts of the country.”
Weather maps showing the coming week’s weather also paints a tough picture for many Brits, as there could be widespread snow stretching from the heights of Aberdeen all the way down to Cardiff and the south of Wales. Unaffected areas will include East Anglia and the South East, particularly around London.
It comes as further information on the already blizzard-like conditions that are set to hit in the coming days have been released. Brits are already bracing themselves for a string of snowstorms that could bring as much as 27 centimetres of snow.
As another Arctic blast looks set to strike right across the UK, forecasts are urging Brits not to store their winter gear away just yet, as chilly conditions are likely for this week. Most snow that does fall will target the Highlands of Scotland, as well as some western parts of Northern Ireland.
Meanwhile, the UK is not the only area that is getting hit hard by cold weather as Europe continues to be blasted by cold air coming from the depths of Siberia. Problems have been so hard that four major airports — Vienna, Bratislava, Budapest and Prague — have had to halt operations over the past few days as a result of the ongoing snow.
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