Parts of the UK could see frost, strong winds and even snow next week, new weather maps show
Snow maps have shown which parts of the country could see the flurries, ice and strong winds for a 60-hour period.
Weather maps from WXCharts, which uses MetDesk data, show that the UK could be in for an especially cold snap on Sunday (April 5). Wintry conditions are set to begin on the evening of Saturday (April 4) in Scotland and the north of England, particularly over the Pennines, before spreading further south in the early hours of Sunday and lasting until the morning of next Tuesday (April 7).
By 12pm on Sunday, northern England, including Northumberland, Cumbria and Durham, could also see a spell of snow with a few centimetres settling in some places. North Yorkshire and parts of West Yorkshire could also see patchy snow on higher ground, though amounts are expected to be lighter.
Further south, across Staffordshire and the West Midlands, any snow is likely to be scattered and brief, while much of southern England should remain snow-free. However, clear skies could allow a widespread frost to form overnight and into the morning in counties such as Oxfordshire, Hertfordshire and Kent.
The maps suggest Scotland could see blizzard-like conditions, with higher ground on the Highlands, Aberdeenshire and Angus likely to see the biggest accumulations. Parts of Northern Ireland may also see the flurries, mainly across Antrim and Down. In Wales, any snow is expected to be patchy and light, with only small accumulations.
Counties that look set for a frosty day on April 5:
England
- Northumberland
- Durham
- Cumbria
- Staffordshire
- West Midlands
- Yorkshire
Scotland
- Aberdeenshire
- Angus
- Highland
- Perthshire
Wales
Northern Ireland
The Met Office says the weather across the UK from this Tuesday (March 31) to Thursday (April 2) will be “changeable”, adding that there is a chance of “some drier and brighter intervals developing, especially in the southeast”. The national forecaster says that the weather will turn “cooler again by Thursday”.
In its long-range UK forecast from April 3 (Friday) to April 12 (Sunday), the Met Office says: “A broad northwest to southeast split is most likely during this period. The northwest is likely to be more unsettled with low-pressure systems moving in at times, bringing periods of strong winds and showers or longer spells of rain.
“In the southeast, high pressure will have greater influence, with more settled, drier weather as a result. Temperatures overall are likely to be near to or slightly above normal, but there remains the chance of some overnight frost.”
