New weather maps show that parts of the UK could be hit with 72-hours of snowfall in a matter of days as temperatures plummet ahead of Easter weekend.
March 25 marks the start of a three-day blitz in Scotland, with northern parts set to experience harsh conditions with up to 27cm of snow.
Though Edinburgh and Glasgow will escape the snow, Inverness and areas in the north-west will be worst hit.
Weather maps from WXCharts also show the possibility of flurries in northern England, with Newcastle possibly seeing a light dusting of snow next week.
Wales could also see flurries, though it’s unlikely to settle. Temperatures could also drop in Scotland to freezing next week.
The snowfall is expected to start from around 6am on Monday, March 25, and will continue until around 6pm on Thursday, March 28.
The Met Office is also predicting the possibility of snow at the weekend. On Saturday, snow showers will be “heavy and possibly wintry at times over hills” although things should settle on Sunday.
And despite hopes that Easter will bring spring weather, the Met Office suggests heavy rain could sweep across the UK at the end of March.
Snow depth will be at its thickest on March 28, following 72-hours of snowfall. Maps suggest up to 27cm of snow will hit northwest Scotland, with other areas seeing up to 14cm.
Wednesday 27 Mar – Friday 5 Apr
Unsettled across the majority of the UK next week, with spells of rain or showers for most, if not all, areas, strong winds in places and temperatures near to a little below normal for late March. Perhaps staying relatively drier in the north, with some wintry showers possible in the far north of Scotland. Through the Bank Holiday weekend and into the following week, unsettled or changeable weather remains the most likely outcome. All areas are likely to see further rain or showers at times, with some drier spells in between, but wet weather will tend to favour the southwest while northern, especially northwestern, parts remain a bit drier on average. Temperatures trending up to rather warm in the south, but perhaps remaining often rather cold in the north.
Saturday 6 Apr – Saturday 20 Apr
During early and mid April, pressure is likely to be higher than average to the north of the UK, with low pressure more likely to the west or southwest. This pattern tends to push the focus of unsettled weather further south than usual, with largest rainfall totals more likely to be in the south of the UK. Conversely northern, especially northwestern, areas will tend to be drier compared to normal. Temperatures will probably be near average or slightly above overall, with any cooler interludes most likely in the north early in the period.
