Weather maps show sustained heavy snow for 16 cities around the UK later this month when Arctic air moves southwards and mixes with low pressure systems from the Atlantic
Brits are set to be hit by a brutal 78 hours of snow with 16 cities in the firing line for another Arctic blast later this month.
Fresh projections from the ECMWF weather model show the freezing air plunging south from Scandinavia while low pressure stalls close to the country – a pattern capable of producing repeated waves of snow rather than a single passing storm.
And the maps from WXCharts indicate the sustained snow arriving at around 6pm on February 26, and continuing over the coming days. Some regions are likely to see on-and-off snowfall for several days, raising the risk of icy roads, hazardous driving and travel disruption, particularly across northern areas.
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The first showers are expected to reach Scotland on the evening of February 26 with a stronger band pushing south the following and turning to snow across colder northern areas and higher ground.
Wintry showers then continue through February 28 and until midnight the following day as cold air remains in place, leaving northern regions most exposed.
Southern England stays closer to milder Atlantic air with rain or sleet more likely, though brief overnight wintry bursts cannot be ruled out. The maps show snow finally leaving the UK at around.
The weather pattern shown on the maps resembles a cold northerly setup, with low pressure lingering near the UK while Arctic air feeds southwards instead of a single storm passing through.
Higher ground in Scotland are most likely to see the deepest accumulations, while lower-lying towns may experience temporary coverings followed by icy conditions. And so there are 16 locations which are in danger of seeing plenty of snowfall.
A prediction from the Met Office of the period from February 20 to March 1 suggests plenty of wet weather “with snow probable at times”.
It reads: “Showers or longer spells of rain, as well as occasional strong winds, are most likely at first as Atlantic low pressure systems dominate in the vicinity of the UK. Some heavy rain is likely in places, with some snow probable at times, mainly on high ground in the north.
“Temperatures varying from around, or a little above, average especially in the south to cold at times, mainly in the north. Although unsettled weather is likely to dominate at first, there will be some drier interludes between weather systems. These drier interludes will become increasingly likely and perhaps more prolonged through the period.”
Areas in the snow danger zone
Scotland
- Glasgow
- Edinburgh
- Aberdeen
- Dundee
- Inverness
Northern England
- Newcastle
- Carlisle
- Durham
- Leeds
- Sheffield
- Manchester
Fringe risk areas
- Liverpool
- Stoke-on-Trent
- Nottingham
- Birmingham
- Belfast
