The Met Office has pinpointed where snow could fall on Friday as temperatures plunge, with the white stuff possible over high ground and lower hills in northern areas
The Met Office has identified potential areas for snowfall later this week as temperatures are set to plummet.
Despite last week boasting the warmest day of the year so far, with London basking in temperatures above 19C, this week has kicked off on a decidedly gloomier note.
Tomorrow is forecasted to be “cloudy again for most”, with rain moving from west to east and further showers expected in western parts by evening, says the Met Office. Temperatures are then predicted to take a chilly turn come Friday. Snow is also on the cards for Friday, and it may not be confined to the northern hills.
Jason Kelly, Chief Operational Meteorologist for the Met Office, said: “A notable shift in wind direction to a north-westerly flow will bring a markedly colder day nationwide on Friday, with the potential for a mixture of sunny spells, heavy showers, coastal gales, and snow over high ground.”, reports the Express.
“There’s also the possibility of accumulations on lower hills too. The picture will become clearer closer to the time, so keep an eye on our forecast as the week progresses.”
Looking further ahead, the Met Office predicts “changeable” weather from March 13 to March 22 as Atlantic weather systems sweep across the UK. “Occasional spells of rain or showers” are anticipated, particularly in the west and north-west.
There should also be some drier spells “under transient ridges of high pressure”. The national weather service indicates these intervals are most likely across the south and east, though some wet spells will hit those areas from time to time as well.
Whilst temperatures should remain “near-average” throughout most of this period, the Met Office points out that “shorter-duration colder interludes” are on the cards. Frost and snow – confined to higher ground – is expected.
The Met Office outlook for March 13 to 22 reads: “Changeable through much of this period, as Atlantic frontal systems pass close to or across the UK at times.
“These will bring some occasional spells of rain or showers, most frequent in the west and northwest, and perhaps accompanied by strong winds. However, there should also be some drier interludes under transient ridges of high pressure, with longer dry periods most likely in the south and east, though even here some wet weather is likely at times.
“Temperatures will be near-average for the period as a whole, but with some shorter-duration colder interludes at times when frost and hill snow will be possible. Later in the period there may be a transition to more blocked or slower evolving weather patterns, though confidence in the detail of this is rather low.”
BBC Weather predicts for March 16 to 22: “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.”