Weather maps show two blizzards sweeping across Britain on February 13 and 15, with major cities including Birmingham, Manchester, Liverpool, Belfast, Edinburgh and Glasgow all facing snowfall
Two ferocious blizzards are poised to blanket most of Britain in snow, with weather charts indicating that certain areas could be hit with up to 14 inches of the white stuff.
The GFS weather model initially depicts snow sweeping across the UK on the morning of February 13, with flurries battering Northern Ireland, Wales, central and northern England, alongside Scotland. Major urban centres including Birmingham, Manchester, Liverpool, Belfast, Edinburgh and Glasgow could all find themselves in the path of destruction, with flurries potentially extending as far south as London.
Come midday on February 13, the weather charts reveal that the most severe snowfall will be hammering eastern and northern areas, with East Anglia and Yorkshire braced to be smothered, whilst Scotland faces additional flurries during this period.
The second blizzard is forecast to strike Britain on February 15, with Northern Ireland initially bearing the brunt of the heaviest snowfall, while the Midlands and north-west England could also encounter snow during the early morning hours, reports the Mirror.
Around 3am, the GFS model depicts fierce flurries spreading from East Anglia, sweeping across central and northern England, and extending all the way to Northern Ireland, with the snow continuing its northward march to engulf Scotland by 6am, according to the charts.
Snow coverage charts expose the complete scale of this arctic weather assault, with the vast majority of Britain and Northern Ireland expected to witness some of the white substance settling on the ground, with data indicating that by 3pm on February 13, only the southern regions of England will escape without any snow. Snow depth charts reveal that the Scottish Highlands could be blanketed with up to 36cm (14 inches) of snow, while parts of northern England might experience as much as 11cm (four inches).
The Met Office has also indicated that snowfall could arrive next month, with its forecast for February 4 to 13 stating: “Frontal systems over the North Atlantic, steered by a south-shifted jet stream, are likely to approach the UK at times, but tending to stall as they encounter a blocking area of high pressure to the north and northeast.
“This will result in further spells of rain at times, falling in areas already sensitive to flooding. As these bands of rain spread northwards, some snow will be possible on high ground in northern England and Scotland as they encounter colder air.
“A subtle shift southwards of these areas of low pressure is anticipated during the second week of February, which may allow a greater chance of colder air to spread across northern UK at least, bringing an increased risk of wintry hazards for a time.”
Nevertheless, BBC Weather suggests that extensive snowfall is unlikely, with its forecast for February 9 to 15 stating: “A colder set-up is expected to develop during the second week of February, as a stronger push of high pressure comes in from the north and north-west towards the UK. This will provide more resistance to fronts and milder air trying to edge northwards, and colder air should win out, with temperatures dropping below average right across the UK.
“Even southern England could see temperatures at least slightly below seasonal values. These low temperatures will be exacerbated by brisk easterly winds at times, so areas towards eastern coasts may feel particularly cold.
“Changeable conditions are expected. It should become somewhat drier overall, especially later in the week, but occasional showery outbreaks are still likely. These will turn wintry over higher ground, and down to lower levels in some northern regions.
“However, at the moment there is no sign of any major snow event. Drier and calmer interludes will lead to sharp overnight frosts and risks of fog.”