A huge band of snow, sleet and rain looks set to batter a 515-mile long swathe of the UK in a few days’ time, weather maps show.
Snow covers a stretch of northern Britain from Durness in northern Scotland to Derby – a distance of about 515 miles – at 6pm on December 3, according to weather maps generated by WX Charts today (November 30).
If the maps prove to be accurate, then much of Northern Ireland will also see snow on the same date, while rain is set to fall across Wales, the West Midlands, Greater London and most of southern England.
The latest weather maps show Kent, Norfolk and Suffolk initially remaining dry but this will change as the band of rain travels eastwards.
Snow depth maps show the white stuff won’t be especially deep on the ground though, with 4cm in parts of central Scotland and 1-2cm in the Pennines, according to WX Charts.
Meanwhile, The Met Office’s latest forecast says this weekend will feel milder, with rain across the north and west moving gradually east, where there will be hazy sunshine and near average temperatures.
Met Office Chief Meteorologist Matthew Lehnert said “By Saturday, the whole of the UK is in a milder airmass. There will be a fair amount of cloud around, with further rain arriving in the west later in the day. Another changeable day is expected on Sunday whilst remaining mild.
“By Monday, it will turn colder again with cloud and rain clearing south followed by showers which will fall as snow to lower levels in the far north.”
The Met Office adds that Tuesday will start with widespread frost, with “potentially” patchy fog in parts. Rain is forecast to spread east later that day or overnight into Wednesday.
Some snow is likely, but mainly over high ground in Scotland and the North of England, while much of next week looks unsettled, particularly in northern and western parts of the country.
Met Office UK five day weather forecast
Saturday, November 30 – Wednesday, December 4
Headline: Largely cloudy this weekend with rain at times. Mild.
Saturday remains cloudy and breezy, with some patchy rain and drizzle across northern and western parts of the country. It will become brighter with sunny spells in places and a very mild day.
Tonight remains cloudy with patchy light rain and drizzle initially though heavier spells of rain move eastwards into central parts by the end of the night. It will be very mild and breezy.
Sunday will see another mild and cloudy start to the day with rain sweeping eastwards. This will be heavy at times, particularly in the west. Brighter spells should develop behind, with showers while there will be gales in northern coasts.
The outlook for Monday to Wednesday is that there will be rain for some on Monday, turning colder with wintry showers in the north. Tuesday will see a frosty start on Tuesday with rain, sleet and snow later. Rain clears through the country on Wednesday.
