Maps forecasting early spring weather are dominated by blotches of red and purple, showing several possible centimetres of snowfall across the UK. Temperatures have plummeted over the last few days, tumbling back into the low single-figure range, with chilly winds making the country feel much colder.
Wind chill charts show that, in some cases, breezes and gusts have caused these already low figures to drop to -1C and below.
With just two days left of February, it appears that winter is making a last-ditch intensification ahead of spring, which officially begins on March 1.
Meteorologists have predicted that, as the new season arrives, some Britons will reckon with widespread snowy showers.
Maps from WXCharts show snowfall starting early on March 1, around 3am, becoming initially intense.
The service, which receives data from MetDesk, suggests totals could top 2cm in parts of Scotland, including Edinburgh and the coast around the Isle of Arran.
Snow also appears set to cover a broad area of northern England, with Newcastle, the Yorkshire Dales, Lake District, Leeds, York and Preston all in the system’s path.
Maps from the Met Office show a similar forecast and follow the roughly 340-mile system into the morning, with snow still falling over these areas until 9am.
Ventusky, another weather tracker, shows much of the same and projects the snow will subside as it moves north and travels off the Scottish west coast.
The predicted snowfall will come with bitter low temperatures, with southern England being between 2C and 3C through most of the day.
In Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, the mercury will plummet even further, down to -2C and 0C.
The day’s chaos is not expected to start a trend, with the first two weeks of March being more rainy than snowy, according to the Met Office.
The agency’s long-range forecast states that, while the weekend will “continue an unsettled mood”, temperatures “should slowly recover to near average” for the month between March 2 and 11.
But the Met Office has added a caveat that much of the country will be at risk of rainy showers, with some isolated snowfall.
The forecast adds: “All areas of the UK will be at risk of further showers (any snow limited to northern hills), with a chance of longer spells of rain in the south particularly at first. There will be drier interludes between times though, with some pleasant spring sunshine, especially in places sheltered from the often strong winds.
“The following week is likely to remain fairly mixed overall, but there may be a greater incidence of dry spells and early spring sunshine, especially in eastern areas. Temperatures are likely to be fairly typical, with a few overnight frosts still likely.”
Today:
A largely dry start for southern parts with mist and fog patches soon clearing as rain and cloud sinks southeast through the day, though weakening as it goes. Sunny spells and blustery showers follow behind further north.
Tonight:
Rain and drizzle clearing to the southeast allowing further mist and fog patches to form overnight. Further rain and strong winds arriving in the far west by dawn.
Wednesday:
A dry start for much of the country on Wednesday, but with rain a drizzle moving eastwards and covering all parts by the afternoon. Rain heaviest on western hills.
Outlook for Thursday to Saturday:
Dry to start on Wednesday with further rain arriving from the west, turning heavy at times through Thursday. Remaining cold and unsettled for Friday.
