While it has been mild in the last few days, the Met Office says temperatures will plunge again in the coming week – and it means snow is forecast for some areas
Snow is forecast as the mercury will plunge by a huge 12C in the coming days, forecasters say.
A dusting of the white stuff will fall this week across the Scottish Highlands, particularly mountainous areas, as temperatures plummet to below freezing for several regions of the UK. Forecasters stress small snowfall, especially across Scotland, isn’t unusual this time of the year.
It will be coldest across eastern parts, particularly Northeast of England, by Friday with the wintry weather expected as soon as Wednesday afternoon. The Met Office confirmed snow is anticipated – but it is likely disruption will be minimal.
Honor Criswick, meteorologist at the Met Office, said: “Plenty of showers around coast of Scotland, Northern Ireland, plenty of blustery showers, too. It’s going to feel quite chilly here as well. So some showers perhaps falling as snow over the high ground of Scotland.”
Her comments come in a new YouTube video, detailing the forecast for the rest of this week. Temperatures exceeded 12C in most regions on Monday – above the average for mid December – but they will fall as the week progresses, and sink to just -1C in some parts by Friday.
And the Northeast of England is expected the coldest region by Friday. It was 12.1C in Chillingham Barns, Northumberland, on Monday, but -1C is forecast in just four days’ time, heralding a change in temperature of more than 13C.
With reference to Friday specifically, Ms Criswick added: “Temperatures really struggling so highs of only around 7C or 8C. Once again, in that key northerly wind, it is going to feel much chillier still.”
The early indication is the weekend will be cold and breezy too. Where conditions aren’t quite cold enough for snow, rain will fall across the week and on the weekend. The heaviest downpours are expected on Wednesday while the snow falls across Scotland.
South Wales and parts of the Midlands will see persistent and heavy rain throughout Wednesday afternoon and into Wednesday evening, say forecasters. Several flood alerts and one flood warning are in place currently and the Environment Agency is monitoring the situation with a view to add to these later in the week.
