The Met Office has issued a forecast predicting snowfall in areas as low as 200 meters in the upcoming days. According to the weather agency’s announcement on YouTube, snow is expected to blanket large parts of the country, including the Northwest of England, starting as early as Friday. This forecast marks a significant shift from the warm weather experienced last week, with temperatures reaching 19C in Greater London.
Meteorologist Annie Shuttleworth from the Met Office explained that a noticeable change in the air mass is expected on Thursday night into Friday, bringing much colder conditions. Frost is anticipated, especially in sheltered areas, due to strong winds on Friday. The forecast includes rain moving in from the north and west, with northwestern regions likely to experience frequent showers, including snow at around 200 meters above sea level, accompanied by hail and a risk of ice on Friday and Saturday mornings.
Weather maps released by the Met Office depict a wintry outlook for Friday, with snow expected in various regions, including the Northwest of England, north Wales, and parts of Scotland. Temperatures are set to drop significantly, with a high of 15C recorded in Goudhurst, Kent, on Sunday, but temperatures are forecasted to plummet. Friday is expected to be particularly cold, with temperatures feeling as low as -7C due to strong westerly winds, maintaining this chilly trend throughout the weekend.
Ms. Shuttleworth highlighted that chilly conditions will be widespread, with daytime temperatures remaining in single figures. The weather is expected to stay unsettled over the weekend, with rain following the snowfall, especially in the Northwest of England. Heavy rain is also predicted for Thursday, affecting regions like the Northeast of England in the morning and most of Wales in the afternoon.
Ahead of the anticipated unsettled weather, there are currently 21 flood warnings in place, primarily for waterways in the Southwest of England, including warnings for Groundwater flooding in areas like Hooke in West Dorset and the Till in Wiltshire.