Advanced weather modelling maps show snow is set to batter the UK in a major blizzard later this month, with up to 31 inches forecast in Scotland and 13 inches in northern England
A staggering 31 inches of snow could blanket parts of the UK within a 24-hour period later this month, as millions of Brits steel themselves for another blizzard. Advanced weather prediction maps indicate that snow will sweep across Northern Ireland, Scotland, Wales and England around midday on January 26.
This weather will initially bring significant flurries to central and northern regions. Cities including Birmingham, Manchester, Edinburgh and Glasgow should all brace for a dusting of snow.
The blizzard is forecasted to persist until midday on January 27. Early morning maps for this day show snowfall in the north and east, with East Anglia expected to see some snow at this time.
A light dusting is also possible in Northern Ireland. By midday on January 27, the ECMWF weather model predicts snowfall in the south-east of England, putting London and Essex squarely in the crosshairs.
According to the maps, snow could fall from the southern coast right up to the farthest reaches of Scotland, reports the Mirror. Snow coverage maps for January 28 reveal the full scale of this winter onslaught, with almost the entire UK blanketed in snow.
Only Northern Ireland, parts of Wales and the far south-west of England are predicted to be snow-free at around 6am. Snow depth charts suggest that a whopping 79cm (31 inches) could settle in the Scottish Highlands, with 34cm (13 inches) possible in northern England and 7cm (three inches) likely in the south-east.
The Met Office has warned that the UK could experience colder conditions this month, increasing the likelihood of snowfall in certain areas. The weather agency’s forecast for 19th to 28th January reads: “Throughout this period, the UK will see a battle between Atlantic weather systems attempting to arrive from the west while high pressure and colder conditions attempt to exert some influence from the east.
“Initially, milder Atlantic air is expected to dominate. This should maintain changeable conditions with showers or longer spells of rain for most.
“The wettest weather in western parts of the country, drier in the east. Temperatures overall likely to be around average.
“Later in the period, there is an increased chance that conditions will turn colder. 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.”
BBC Weather’s forecast also hints at the possibility of “wintry showers”, with “cold easterly flows” potentially moving in. The BBC’s prediction for next week states: “There are some signs that the high pressure centred over and near Scandinavia and the Urals could strengthen and build more towards north-west Europe, holding Atlantic systems farther west or pushing them northwest and south-east of the UK.
“This could bring some colder easterly flows by the end of the week, with the chance of some wintry showers coming off the North Sea. Bear in mind, however, the milder Atlantic-driven weather regime could win out, even if only in western regions.”
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