New weather maps show snow is on the way next week, with GFS models predicting blizzards across Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and north-west England from Friday, March 13
While some regions are basking in prolonged spells of spring sunshine, fresh weather charts reveal that snow is set to arrive next week. The GFS weather model indicates snowfall across a vast swathe of the UK from approximately 6am on Friday, March 13.
The most severe snow is anticipated to begin in northern Scotland, though flurries are also predicted to affect Wales, Northern Ireland and north-west England around the same period, with areas as far south as Manchester in the potential path.
The majority of Northern Ireland is expected to be blanketed in snow during this period. Blizzard conditions will persist throughout the day, with accumulations of up to 12cm forecast in certain areas. Temperatures are predicted to plummet to as low as -7C in some locations.
This fresh bout of wintry weather arrives despite parts of Britain experiencing their warmest day of the year thus far. Thermometers climbed above 19C on Thursday in London, with countless people relishing clear skies and balmy daylight hours, reports the Mirror.
Nevertheless, the Met Office has cautioned about a possible “colder spell” approaching later this month. Should it materialise, the national forecasting service anticipates it occurring after March 20.
The Met Office’s outlook for 20th March to 4th April suggests: “The start of this period could see unsettled conditions fairly widely across the UK, with spells of rain and strong winds affecting many areas at times, although western areas likely remain wettest.
“Then, whilst confidence in the details is low, there is the potential for weather patterns to become slower-moving by late March, with unsettled weather possibly becoming more confined to parts of the south west, as areas towards the north turn drier.
“Overall, temperatures will probably end up near to average, and at present there are indications of a cooler spell towards the turn of the month.”
Meanwhile, BBC Weather has flagged the possibility of “wintry showers”. Its forecast for 16th to 22nd March reads: “It will probably be a little bit cooler overall, although day to day temperatures will vary a bit as weather systems come in from the Atlantic.
“These weather systems will also bring spells of showery weather, and it is still early enough in the year for there to be a chance of some wintry showers over higher ground in the north of the UK.”