Advanced weather maps show a massive Valentine’s Day storm set to dump 63 inches of snow on Scottish hills this weekend, with major cities including London, Birmingham, Manchester and Edinburgh all in the firing line for snowfall
It’s set to be a white Valentines Day. Steady on now, soldier, none of that. What it means is a colossal storm is poised to blanket multiple cities with snow this weekend, beginning on Valentine’s Day.
Cutting-edge weather modelling charts reveal snow initially striking Northern Ireland and sections of northern Scotland during Saturday evening (Valentine’s Day). Ireland may also experience heavy snowfall around 9pm.
The GFS weather model indicates the snow will subsequently sweep eastwards, covering virtually the entire expanse of England, Wales and Scotland. Charts for approximately 3am on Sunday display snowfall stretching from England’s southern coastline all the way to Scotland’s northernmost reaches.
Key cities including Birmingham, Manchester, Liverpool, Newcastle, Edinburgh and Glasgow seem to be directly in the path of the weather system. Where the heaviest flurries concentrate over elevated terrain, the data indicates snow could accumulate at an extraordinary rate of roughly four inches per hour.
Around 6am, the charts reveal snow will have arrived in London as it continues its eastward journey, also blanketing East Anglia and portions of Yorkshire. The majority of Britain will experience snowfall at some stage during the weekend, according to the projections, reports the Mirror.
Snow accumulation charts indicate that 162cm (63 inches) of snow could settle on hills across northern Scotland by Sunday morning. Southern Scotland might witness 12cm (five inches), whilst 8cm (three inches) is forecast over hills in northern England.
The Midlands and areas further south will probably only receive 1cm-2cm. The Met Office has also indicated that snow could make a comeback to the UK in the coming days.
In its Thursday to Saturday outlook, the national weather service warns that conditions will become chillier on Friday “with a chance of snow showers, particularly in the north”.
The forecast for February 15 to 24 explains: “Showers or longer spells of rain are expected as Atlantic low pressure systems dominate in the vicinity of the UK.
“Some heavy rain is likely in places, probably focussed on western hills, with some snow at times in the north, mainly on high ground. Strong winds are possible at times, especially around coasts. Temperatures will probably be near normal. Later in the period, there is a chance that drier, more settled conditions may begin to develop.”
BBC Weather has similarly predicted additional snowfall this week, particularly over elevated areas tomorrow, Thursday and on Sunday. According to the BBC’s outlook: “Wednesday and Thursday will stay unsettled, with bands of rain or showers. Higher elevations in Scotland will have snow showers, and as colder air starts to come southwards, some snow or sleet should develop over the hills and mountains of Northern Ireland, Wales and northern England by late Thursday.
“As a front clears southwards there could even be some wintriness over the hills of the Midlands and southern England temporarily, while sleet and snow showers blow across windward coasts elsewhere.
“Most areas should become drier and clearer by Saturday, with sharp frosts in places. However, a new frontal system from the Atlantic should start to bring milder air and rain on Sunday, although preceded by sleet and snow over higher ground, mainly in the northern half of the UK.”