More than 20 regions in the UK are expected to see the first snowfall of winter next week as a wave of Arctic conditions is poised to hit the British Isles.
A new interactive map is now available for checking the anticipated snow days in your locality. The Met Office anticipates a significant shift in weather patterns following the heavy rain earlier this week and over the weekend, indicating a likelihood of snow as cold Arctic air sweeps across the UK.
Meteorologists project that a high-pressure system will dominate the weekend weather, moving southwards towards the Azores and ushering in chilly northerly winds.
As this air mass descends southward over Britain, the Met Office cautions that temperatures will drop, potentially bringing wintry conditions, including snow, to various parts of the country. Some areas in Scotland could experience temperatures as low as -4C in the early hours of Monday.
You can use our interactive weather map below to check the forecast in your region and see if snowfall is expected nearby.
The Met Office foresees this cold snap spreading across the nation, with temperatures dropping ‘several degrees’ below the usual seasonal averages. Nighttime temperatures could plummet to -2C in the North West of England on Tuesday, with widespread overnight lows ranging from 0C to 2C across central England and Scotland on Wednesday.
In addition to the cold conditions, the Met Office highlights an increasing likelihood of sleet and snow, especially over elevated terrains in Scotland, Northern Ireland, northern England, and potentially North Wales. Towards the end of the upcoming week, a widespread wintry period is expected to envelop the UK, possibly bringing snow even to southern regions.
According to OpenWeather’s forecasts, snow could make its entrance on Monday in parts of Scotland and the North East, followed by potential snowfall in Wales on Tuesday and extending possibly to Gloucestershire in the South West. By Wednesday, there is a chance of snow in Northern Ireland as well.
In a statement, the Met Office remarked: “The probability of snow is expected to rise as the period progresses. The wet weather on Friday in the southern region could bring wintry conditions to the hills of northwest Wales.
“By Sunday and Monday, with the influx of colder air, chances of sleet and snow in northern Scotland are reasonable, with the risk extending further south into Northern Ireland, northern England, and North Wales by Tuesday.
“Mid to late next week may witness a broader wintry period if a weather system moves south, with some models indicating a 20% or higher chance of over 1cm of snow even in southern areas. In addition to snow, the possibility of icy conditions exists, particularly where rain falls on cold surfaces.”
In its extended forecast for November 19 to 28, the Met Office forecasts: “The colder conditions currently affecting the extreme north of the UK are expected to progress southward