New weather maps have shown Britain is to be blasted by a 470-mile ice bomb this week. Forecasters at WXCharts predict snow to begin falling in most of Scotland, the north of England and parts of Wales on Friday before the bomb drops on Saturday leaving a trail of snow and ice in its wake from Manchester to the top of Scotland.
The north of Northern Ireland will also be hit by snow, while heavy rain could hit Wales, the south coast and parts of the north west.
Those living in Inverness and the north west of Scotland could see snow as deep as 25cm, while those in England will see a lighter scattering of the white stuff.
Snow on Friday will mainly be concentrated in Scotland with the potential for some light snowfall in Manchester.
The Met Office says it will be “very cold” and “frosty” across the UK on Friday and Saturday.
Its prediction for Friday to Sunday read: “Very cold at first with further snow showers, mainly near coastal areas. Turning milder into the weekend with bands of rain and strong winds beginning to move across the country.”
Today it says snow showers will hit coastal areas in Scotland and Northern Ireland with a “cold day for all”.
Its forecast read: “Snow showers continue to feed into coastal areas, mainly across Scotland and Northern Ireland. Elsewhere, many inland areas dry and sunny, though cloudier skies at first in south with the odd wintry flurry possible. Another cold day for all.”
Looking ahead to next week the Met Office predicts “potentially damaging” winds to strike on Monday along with heavy rain.
The Met Office long-range forecast read: “By Sunday the transition to above normal temperatures is complete with Atlantic frontal systems pushing northeast across the UK bringing spells of rain and very strong winds across all areas.
“There is the potential for some damaging winds on Sunday into Monday, especially in the north. Rain is likely to be heavy at times across many western hills.
“The milder and wetter than normal conditions seem most likely to persist through to late January, the wettest and windiest conditions likely to be focussed across the north and northwest, and in the south and southeast some drier and more settled spells of weather are likely, especially later in the month, when the chance of overnight frost and fog increases once again.”
Today:
Snow showers continue to feed into coastal areas, mainly across Scotland and Northern Ireland. Elsewhere, many inland areas dry and sunny, though cloudier skies at first in south with the odd wintry flurry possible. Another cold day for all.
Tonight:
Clear periods for most this evening and overnight with temperatures quickly plummeting. A severe frost developing inland with icy patches. Further snow flurries in northern coastal areas at times.
Thursday:
Another dry, sunny and cold day for many after a very frosty and locally icy start. Occasional snow showers in coastal areas once again, giving a slight covering in places.
Outlook for Friday to Sunday:
Very cold at first with further snow showers, mainly near coastal areas. Turning milder into the weekend with bands of rain and strong winds beginning to move across the country.
