The Met Office has issued a verdict on new maps that suggest an even deeper British freeze is looming on the horizon. Multiple weather runs show a developing cold front making its way towards the country over the next couple of weeks, with snow developing under bitter low temperatures.
Much of that snow – as expected during January – will likely remain in place over Scotland and northernmost England, where it is naturally colder.
Forecasters have said Scots will bear the brunt of a “transition” starting this week. As it develops over the weekend, the enveloping cold will raise the chances of “wintry hazards” during the coming week and beyond.
The latest weather maps have suggested temperatures will continue to drop into the week of January 15, after which snowy showers appear likely to work their way north from the English Channel.
Charts from Windy.com show an icy system developing as early as Sunday, January 14, with lows reaching -2C in Scotland and between 0C and 2C in England and Wales.
Modelling from Ventusky shows precipitation moving into southern England from Europe from Tuesday, January 16, with snow and rain making landfall the following day in a band across the home nation and Wales.
By January 19th, weather maps from WXCharts show snow settled across that band, but the Met Office has predicted much of the snow will likely remain concentrated in Scotland.
Speaking to Express.co.uk, Met Office forecaster Stephen Dixon said a coming transition to a “northerly airflow” would see temperatures primarily influenced in northern England. He said: “With largely cool and dry conditions likely through much of this week, from Sunday we’re likely to see a transition to more of a northerly airflow, with further cold air influencing temperatures from the north.”
Mr Dixon added that Scotland would most likely receive any snow and associated hazards spawned by the airflow.
He said: “This increases the chances of wintry hazards through next week, with the initial focus on high ground over Scotland for any potential snow.”
Long-range forecasts make clear that accurately predicting the weather becomes more difficult beyond five days, as conditions are more subject to change.
While snow appears on maps over the next couple of weeks, the Met Office stresses that “confidence is low” regarding snow and sleet between January 14 and 23.
