The Met Office has released its long range forecast for the UK and it repeatedly mentions snow and ice. Dramatic new Weather maps have revealed that temperatures could drop to as low as -14C in the comings weeks as Britain braces for yet another big freeze.
The most recent long-range forecast produced by the Met Office – accurate as of Thursday, January 11 – mentions snow and ice a total of five times for the 24-day period between January 15 and February 8.
Experts predict that “widespread frosts” will sweep over Britain resulting in a risk of ice thanks to a period of unsettled weather – where colder air meets milder air in parts of the country. There will also be a risk of sleet and snow showers at the same time, which will be more likely across Scotland and the north of England.
Meanwhile the latest weather maps show that on January 18, the UK will be covered in a giant sheet of snow and ice. Up to 19cm of the white stuff is expected to fall every hour in the early hours, while there will even be snow fall as far south as Cardiff, East Anglia and the Midlands. This will mark the start of an extended period of cold, snow and ice, according to the latest longer=term forecasts.
Predicting the long-range weather forecast for the period between Monday, January 15 and the following Wednesday, January 24, a spokesperson for the Met Office said: “Often cloudy across clearing central and southern areas at first. Thereafter, turning colder from the North, with brisk northerly winds likely developing widely across of the UK, bringing a risk of snow showers, most frequent across the north.
“Temperatures remaining cold, and a marked wind chill especially in the north. There is risk of unsettled weather pushing in from the south through this period, which could lead to a band of snow and sleet where it meets the colder air across the country.
“Confidence is low with regards the timing of the arrival of any such disturbance, but there is an increasing risk of something potentially disruptive at some point in this period. Widespread frosts continue to be a feature by night, with a risk of ice in places.”
Meanwhile, looking slightly further ahead, for the period between Thursday, January 25 and Thursday, February 8 – just over a month from now – the long range forecast predicts that there will be an “increased chance” of cold conditions while weather will be “more unsettled” towards the end of January and beginning of February.
The forecast added: “This would also introduce a risk of snow and ice where it meets the colder air in place across the UK.”
Thursday, January 11 until Monday, January 15
Headline:
Rather cloudy, some sunshine in the south and west. Chilly.
Today:
Sunshine across the south of England becoming increasingly confined towards the southwest. Some sunny spells across western Scotland and Northern Ireland too. Otherwise rather cloudy with some drizzle in the northeast. A little less cold, but still feeling chilly.
Tonight:
A dry evening with cloud continuing to push westwards, perhaps thick enough for some drizzle over the hills overnight. A patchy frost possible underneath the clearest skies in the west.
Friday:
Often cloudy, mostly dry, with occasional sunny intervals and the odd spot of drizzle possible over the hills. Still feeling chilly with generally light winds. Rain later in northern Scotland.
Outlook for Saturday to Monday:
Rather cloudy over the weekend with some sunny spells and showery rain on Sunday. Showers, possibly wintry, along the coasts on Monday with brighter skies elsewhere. Turning colder.
