Forecasters are warning that London could see a wintry end to January, with the BBC pinpointing a specific date for potential snowfall in the capital.
Specific Snow Forecast for the Capital
According to detailed BBC weather projections, London is set for sleet and snow showers late on Saturday, January 31, from around 10pm. These wintry conditions are expected to persist into the early hours of Sunday, February 1, until at least 5am. Temperatures are predicted to hover around a chilly 2°C, meaning the exact form of precipitation—between snow and sleet—will be finely balanced.
This forecast is supported by data from WX Charts, which shows a purple snow-risk cloud over London at that time. The map indicates a light shading over the capital, suggesting around 0.1mm of snowfall per hour.
Met Office Warns of Nationwide Cold Snap
The national forecaster has echoed the potential for colder conditions, stating that the final week of January will see a climatic battle. Milder Atlantic air will initially dominate, bringing average temperatures and showers. However, a shift is anticipated.
A Met Office spokesperson explained: "Towards the end of the month there is an increased chance that it will turn colder, with the potential for snow. This aspect of the forecast is still somewhat uncertain but the potential transition to colder weather also increases the chance of snow across parts of the country." Meteorologist Greg Dewhurst described the outlook as a "battle ground" between mild and colder air from next weekend onwards.
Why Snow is So Hard to Predict in London
Forecasting snow in London is notoriously tricky. Weather expert Ian Currie told MyLondon that snow is highly dependent on altitude, with even slight elevations within the city seeing significantly more snowy days. "For every 50 feet you get higher up there is an increased likelihood of an extra day of snow," he said.
This means areas like Sanderstead or Biggin Hill are far more likely to see settling snow than lower-lying districts such as Streatham. Minor variations in temperature or a weather front's path can mean the difference between rain and snow, making precise local predictions a complex challenge.
The BBC's latest London forecast for the coming days indicates mild conditions initially, with highs of 11°C on Sunday, January 18, gradually cooling as the month progresses towards the predicted wintry spell.
