Weather forecast maps show a blizzard could soon blanket the UK in snow, potentially bringing as much as six inches to some parts of the country this month
Britain could be heading for a snowy end to the year, with new weather maps showing as much as six inches could land before New Year’s Eve.
The GFS weather model shows a large and persistent patch of snow pushing westwards over the British Isles, with snowfall beginning as early as 6am on December 30. According to the maps, the first areas set to see snow actually settle on the ground will be Scotland and the far north of England, with Aberdeen and Newcastle among the earliest locations affected.
By 6am, snow is expected to be falling in both cities. Newcastle will see lighter accumulations initially, while conditions in northeast Scotland could be more severe.
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Snow depth charts suggest Aberdeen could already see up to three inches in the morning. And by midday, snow depths are shown to increase sharply, particularly across parts of Aberdeenshire and areas north of Dundee, where totals could rise to five inches or more. The maps predict up to six inches of snow in the worst-hit spots. Manchester, Stoke-on-Trent and Birmingham are also among the areas set to turn white.
Further south, snow is forecast to continue spreading throughout the afternoon and evening. Cities including Middlesbrough, York and potentially Leeds could see snow settling, while the North York Moors is highlighted as an area also at risk of persistent flurries.
By evening, parts of Newcastle, Middlesbrough and York could see around three inches of snow, while Scotland remains firmly in the firing line for heavier and more persistent falls.
The data also suggests snow could reach areas down south and in Wales. Lighter snowfall is predicted across East Anglia, Kent, Essex and even London, the maps show. Snow is expected to continue into December 31, with the heaviest and most stubborn band lingering across northern areas, including Newcastle.
It comes after the Met Office revealed snow could fall during Christmas week. Tom Crabtree, Deputy Chief Forecaster, said: “High pressure is expected to build into next week, bringing drier and less mild conditions for the Christmas period.
“Although temperatures will drop, they are not plummeting. Overnight frosts are likely, and some mist and fog is possible in places, but significant cold weather looks less probable.
“Falling temperatures do bring the potential for some wintry showers in the east, but it is too early to discern details for any particular day over the Christmas period.”
