The UK could be set for snowy conditions stretching into February with forecasters warning of an Arctic blast coming from Greenland next month.
This week, several inches of the white stuff have arrived from northern Scotland to southern England – and the Met Office has issued a rare amber weather warning.
Parts of the country are expected to see eight inches of snow and temperatures plummeting as low as -10C, with the Met Office saying power cuts and travel chaos are “likely”.
READ MORE: Met Office issues rare amber snow warning with six inches set to trigger power cuts
And now some forecasters are warning that the snow could last into next month.
(Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto)
Netweather‘s Nick Finnis writes that “high latitude blocking towards Greenland” (a ridge of high pressure blocking the typical circulation of wind) could bring a “-NAO” our way.
NAO refers to North Atlantic Oscillation, a weather phenomenon that brings cold air to Europe when in its negative phase.
If it does come, “wintry precipitation” will first hit up north, although Finnis adds: “Colder conditions may spread south with a wintry risk to all parts briefly on the back of low pressure systems moving east and high pressure building to the west.”
(Image: AFP via Getty Images)
Luckily, the Netweather forecast adds that February ought to be “milder and wetter than December or January” – meaning we should see less snow overall.
As for the immediate future, the Met Office say temperatures in most of the UK are not expected to surpass 2C this afternoon (Tuesday, January 17).
Western regions are expected to be slightly warmer, with 4C forecast in Wales and 5C in Devon.
(Image: Getty Images)
An amber warning for snow is in place from 3pm until midnight, spanning northern Scotland including Inverness and Aberdeen.
It awaits to be seen whether the warning will be extended into tomorrow (Wednesday, January 18).
Five yellow warnings for snow and ice also remain in place, covering every nation in the UK in part.
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