A huge blizzard could sweep across the UK later this week bringing as much as four inches of snow per hour in some areas, advanced weather forecasting maps suggest
As much as four inches of snow could fall per hour as a storm batters the UK this week, weather maps suggest.
According to the GFS weather model, snow could settle across Scotland, England, Wales and Northern Ireland – covering a distance of roughly 600 miles – on Sunday, as bands of wet weather interact with cold air.
Precipitation maps show a powerful band of wintry weather pushing in from the Atlantic overnight, hitting western parts of the UK first before spreading eastwards by 3am.
Much of the country including Manchester, Birmingham, Stoke-on-Trent, Newcastle, Glasgow and Dundee, should see snowfall in the early hours of Sunday. Other major cities including Belfast, Bristol, Plymouth and London, are likely to see cold rain before sleet sets in. The data suggests snow could fall at a staggering rate of around four inches per hour in places.
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By 6am, the system is expected to push further east, with parts of London, Norwich and Ipswich waking up to wintry conditions. Snow depth maps suggest widespread snowfall by around 9am, with the heaviest accumulations focused in Scotland.
Parts of the Cairngorms and eastern Highlands could see up to 20 inches of snow, particularly on higher ground. Elsewhere, eastern Scotland, including areas around Dundee, Angus and eastern Perthshire, could see around four to six inches.
Northern England, including Northumberland, Cumbria and the Pennines, could also see several inches of snow, with higher totals over hills. Further south, parts of the Midlands and Wales could see lighter snowfall, while much of southern England is likely to experience patchy snow, sleet or icy rain.
In its long-range forecast from February 14 to February 23, the Met Office says Atlantic frontal zones are set to return at the start of the period. These boundaries in the North Atlantic, where contrasting air masses meet, can create low-pressure systems and bring unsettled weather.
The forecaster adds: “The track of these depressions may be a little further north than over the preceding weeks, but will continue to bring broadly unsettled weather to many areas, with further spells of rain and perhaps strong winds at times.
“With the westerly influence, it should become somewhat milder for many, though there remains the chance that colder conditions could affect northern and northeastern parts from time to time.”
On Tuesday, the Met Office forecasts a dull start with outbreaks of rain and drizzle. Heavy rain will move into the south before sunshine and showers. The rest of the UK is expected to remain cloudy and damp.
In its outlook for Wednesday to Friday, the forecaster says: “Staying unsettled at first with further outbreaks of rain for many. Turning colder and brighter on Friday with a chance of snow showers, particularly in the north and east.”
