The first significant snowfall of winter is predicted to sweep across more than twenty regions of the United Kingdom next week, as the country braces for a dramatic plunge into Arctic conditions. The Met Office has issued warnings of a substantial shift in weather patterns, indicating a "reasonable chance" of snowfall as frigid polar air moves across the nation.
When and Where the Snow Will Fall
According to detailed forecasts, the chilly transformation begins in earnest early next week. Thermometers are expected to plummet to a biting -4°C in parts of Scotland during the early hours of Monday, November 17th. This cold snap is then forecast to spread southwards, bringing temperatures several degrees below the seasonal average to the rest of the country.
The North West of England could see overnight lows of -2°C by Tuesday, while central England and Scotland may experience widespread temperatures between 0°C and 2°C on Wednesday. Forecast data from WX Charts even suggests that London could see its first winter flurries in the early hours of Thursday morning.
Met Office Warnings and Widespread Impact
The Met Office has highlighted an increasing probability of sleet and snow, particularly over higher ground and mountainous areas. The regions most likely to be affected initially include Scotland, Northern Ireland, northern England, and potentially North Wales.
In an official blog post, forecasters elaborated on the escalating risk: "The probability of snow increases as we move through the period. Friday's wet weather in the south could bring wintry conditions to the hills of northwest Wales. By Sunday and Monday, as colder air digs in, there is a reasonable chance of sleet and snow in northern Scotland, with the risk spreading further south into Northern Ireland, northern England, and North Wales by Tuesday."
Potential for a Major Wintry Spell
Towards the end of next week, the situation could intensify significantly. The Met Office suggests a "widespread wintry spell" might develop, potentially bringing snowfall to southern regions of the UK that often escape early winter snow. Some weather models indicate a 20% or greater chance of more than 1cm of snow accumulating even in southern parts of the country.
Alongside the snow, there is a concurrent risk of ice forming, especially where rain falls onto frozen surfaces. According to forecast site OpenWeather, parts of Scotland and the North East could witness snow as early as Monday, with Wales potentially seeing snowfall on Tuesday. There is even a possibility of snow reaching Gloucestershire in the South West, while Northern Ireland may experience wintry conditions by Wednesday.
This cold spell follows a weekend of torrential downpours, with weather experts attributing the change to high pressure shifting southwards towards the Azores, which will allow bitter northerly winds to sweep across Britain.
