New weather maps reveal that half of the UK could be blanketed in snow within the next 48 hours, with some regions potentially seeing as much as 20cm. WXCharts maps indicate a band of snow sweeping across the country on New Year’s Day, with snowfall rates of around 10cm per hour in northern England at approximately 3pm.
The snow is predicted to continue its southward journey, implying that by January 2, Scotland, Northern Ireland, Wales, northern parts of England and the Midlands will have experienced snowfall. Snow depth maps for January 2 suggest as much as 20cm settled on the ground in parts of northern England.
Up to 15cm could settle in northern Scotland, according to WXCharts data. The Met Office has issued yellow snow and ice warnings for Wednesday and Thursday in northern Scotland, lasting from 12am on Wednesday to 9am on Thursday.
The Met Office has advised people to expect: In its forecast for Wednesday through to Friday, the Met Office stated that the UK would experience heavy rain. It added: “Further unsettled weather to come, with frequent heavy showers and strong winds into New Year’s Day. Turning colder from Thursday, with blustery, perhaps wintry, showers.”
(Image: WXCharts)
Beyond January 3 and into January 12, showers and sleet are expected to increasingly turn into snow, reports the Mirror.
“This cold, showery northerly may persist in the east, as high pressure builds in the Atlantic brings a period of more settled weather to western areas,” the Met Office said.
“There is also a chance that rain may move in from the south over the first weekend of January, falling as snow as it runs into colder air. Into the following week, a fairly changeable picture is probable. Wettest and windiest weather in the north and west, whilst the south and east will more likely remain more settled overall.”