UK snow maps show 2-day -5C blizzards to ‘bury’ 25% of Britain | Weather | News
Weather maps suggest large parts of the United Kingdom could face a burst of late-season wintry weather, with forecasters warning that heavy snow and sub-zero temperatures may sweep across parts of the country in the coming days.
Forecast models from WXCharts show intense bands of snowfall pushing across northern and central Britain, raising the possibility that as much as 25% of the country could see significant snow cover during a short but disruptive cold spell. The maps indicate that blizzard-like conditions could develop for around 48 hours, particularly across parts of Scotland, northern England and areas exposed to strong easterly winds. Weather analysts say the combination of cold air and low pressure moving in from the North Sea could create heavy snow showers and reduced visibility in some regions.
Northern and central regions appear most exposed, with heavy bursts of snow expected to fall across major cities including Glasgow, Edinburgh, Aberdeen, Dundee, Newcastle, Leeds, Manchester, Sheffield, York, Nottingham, Birmingham, Stoke-on-Trent, Norwich, Ipswich and parts of London.
Temperatures could drop as low as -5C in northern regions of the country.
Snow showers could also reach parts of the Midlands and eastern England, if the cold air holds in place.
The maps show low pressure forming near the North Sea while colder air feeds in from the east, creating conditions favourable for prolonged snow showers and strong winds.
Temperatures in affected areas could drop close to or below freezing, increasing the likelihood that snow settles quickly on roads and higher ground.
Despite the dramatic snow signals in some weather models, the UK’s national forecaster, the Met Office, says the start of the period is expected to remain largely settled for most areas.
In its latest outlook the Met Office said: “Friday 20 Mar – Sunday 29 Mar: Under the influence of high pressure it will be a settled start to this period, with most places predominantly dry.
“Temperatures will be close to or a little above average, although for parts of the south it will feel cooler than earlier in the week with a brisk easterly wind starting to develop.”
The forecaster added that while sunshine is likely for many areas initially, the developing easterly breeze may make conditions feel cooler than earlier in the week. It said that with spells of spring sunshine the weather should feel pleasant for many people, although the longer-range picture is less certain as the settled conditions may not last.
The Met Office also warned that there are signs showers or rain could return later in the period, particularly across southern parts of the country, depending on how pressure systems evolve.
