The Met Office has named several UK regions set to see snow on higher ground before Monday, with temperatures plunging to -2C as Arctic air collides with rain from the west
Brits in various parts of the nation are being advised to bundle up as the Met Office has identified the areas due to be struck by snow within hours.
The UK has been lashed by torrential rain and fierce winds this week, but now temperatures are predicted to plummet as a low-pressure system sweeps in from the north-west. National weather authorities have indicated that a band of rain advancing from the west will meet Arctic air, sparking a wintry onslaught before Monday morning (March 16).
The Met Office has cautioned that whilst many will experience “blustery showers,” those in the north and on higher ground will confront the most severe conditions.
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Maps show that some regions could see temperatures plunge to a freezing -2C overnight. Forecasters suggest the hardest-hit areas will be in the north of the country, especially on elevated terrain, reports the Express.
Met Office forecaster Annie Shuttleworth stated: “We’ve got showers pushing in across more northwestern areas throughout the day, they won’t be as frequent as they were yesterday but they still bring a risk of snow above around 400m.
“From the west that wet and windy weather does spread bringing a lot of cloud across much of western parts of the UK into Wales and across the Midlands as well. In the far east we could see a touch of frost on Sunday morning but I think that milder cloudier weather will push in so that frost risk won’t last all that long into Sunday morning.”
The abrupt cold snap arrives just seven days after sections of England basked in spring-like sunshine with temperatures hitting 19C. Meteorologists have explained the recent change has been triggered by a cold plunge over North America turbocharging the jet stream, pulling down frigid Arctic air across the Atlantic.
Based on the latest Met Office predictions and weather charts, the following areas are most likely to experience snow, predominantly on higher ground. The Met Office prediction for Saturday evening and tonight states for the Scottish Highlands : “Showers dying out with clear spells and a frost developing in east. Cloud increasing from west with outbreaks of rain, preceded by hill snow, spreading east overnight. Strengthening southerly winds. Minimum temperature -1°C.”
Sunday’s prediction states: “Cloudy with occasionally heavy rain clearing east soon after dawn followed by sunny spells and heavy, perhaps thundery, showers, with hill snow. Strong southerly winds, with coastal gales, veering southwesterly. Maximum temperature 8°C.”
Meanwhile, Sunday’s prediction for the Yorkshire Dales states: “Soon turning wet and windy. Rain will clear away southeastwards later in the afternoon, leaving squally heavy showers turning to snow over high ground. Feeling cold in the wind. Maximum temperature 11°C.”
