More snow could fall across the UK in March as weather forecasting maps reveal a ‘Beast from the East’ storm will bring several inches and impact major cities including London
Weather forecasters expect conditions to improve this weekend after weeks of rain and cold in the UK – but now it seems a huge blizzard could be right around the corner.
The GFS weather model shows snow forming to the east of the UK on March 7, over the North Sea and continental Europe, before it moves over the country and brings flurries to several major cities.
At around midday on March 7, maps show the initial impact of this ‘Beast from the East’ storm will be felt in south-east England, including London, as well as over the Pennines, the north-east and parts of Scotland.
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Snow is expected to spread across the country throughout the day. Maps for 9pm show southern, central and northern England almost completely engulfed, with some flurries also reaching Wales around this time.
By 9am on March 8, heavy snow is expected to be falling right across England and Wales. Major cities including London, Birmingham and Manchester all appear to be in the firing line.
And snow depth maps reveal the full extent of this blizzard, with 14cm (roughly six inches) possibly settling across the Pennines in northern England. North Wales could also see 14cm, with 7cm coming in the Midlands and 9cm in northern Scotland.
The Met Office has also said more snow could come towards the end of February and at the start of March. Its forecast for February 25 to March 6 states: “Changeable during this period with Atlantic frontal systems moving across the country and shorter dry and bright interludes in-between.
“Rain and showers typically heaviest and most frequent in the west, with more sheltered eastern areas seeing much smaller amounts of rain. Often windy with a chance of gales at times.
“Temperatures well above average at first, likely falling closer to average with alternating colder and milder spells towards the end of February and into March; perhaps cold enough for some sleet/snow showers in the northwest, especially over high ground, in the colder spells.”
BBC Weather says snow is unlikely but possible. The BBC forecast for March 2 to 15 states: “Although confidence is even lower than usual for this period, there are some signs of high pressure building near the UK, leading to somewhat drier conditions, with precipitation amounts near or below average.
“However, the position of this potential high will have a notable influence on both precipitation and wind. It will most likely linger near the UK through the first week of March, bringing relatively dry conditions, along with a risk of frost and fog.
“Daytime temperatures should be at least near seasonal for most areas, and potentially above average, although some chillier conditions are possible across Scotland.
“There is a small chance that high pressure could develop at higher latitudes, which would bring a risk of a colder week, though strong cold anomalies would not be expected. Wintry showers would then become more likely.”
