The UK is preparing for a significant wintry onslaught later this month, with weather maps forecasting disruptive snow and localised blizzards, including for the capital. A major weather front is predicted to sweep across the country, bringing the heaviest snow to Scotland but also notable accumulations to cities like London.
Major Snow Event Forecast for Late January
According to detailed forecasts from Metdesk and WXCharts.com, a powerful weather system will move from east to west across the entire UK in the week beginning Monday, January 26. The most intense period is expected from midday on Thursday, January 29, affecting both northern and southern regions.
The band of precipitation, initially a mix of rain and snow, is forecast to move eastwards throughout the day. By 6pm on Thursday, it is expected to turn almost entirely to snow, covering a massive 531-mile stretch from Exmoor to Kearvaig in Scotland. Major cities including Bristol, Cardiff, Birmingham, Manchester, and Glasgow are all in line for several centimetres of snowfall per hour.
London and the South in the Firing Line
While the main band of snow will have moved on by midday on Friday, January 30, the capital is not out of the woods. Forecasts indicate that localised blizzards will persist over London throughout Friday. Weather maps show the capital under a band of snow, with an estimated one to two centimetres accumulating per hour.
The latest projections suggest snow could settle as far south as Southampton, with ground accumulations of 2-3cm predicted for London and its surrounding regions. Higher ground across the UK is expected to see more substantial coverage.
Scotland to Bear the Brunt with Deep Drifts
The most extreme conditions are reserved for Scotland. The eastern Highlands are forecast to bear the full force of the wintry blast, where snowdrifts could reach staggering depths of up to 51cm (20 inches). This level of accumulation poses a serious risk of travel disruption and isolation for some communities.
The Met Office's extended outlook for Wednesday, January 21 to Friday, January 30 has indicated a heightened probability of snowfall across various parts of the nation. Their forecast explains that the UK will see a battle between milder Atlantic systems from the west and colder conditions from the east.
"Later in the period, there is an increased chance that conditions will turn colder," the Met Office stated. "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."
Residents across the UK, particularly in areas highlighted by the forecasts, are advised to monitor weather warnings as the date approaches and consider potential impacts on travel plans.
