An “increasingly cold” period is potentially on the cards for many Brits in what may be a return to sub-zero temperatures and widespread snow.
New longer-range forecasts point towards a new weather pattern smashing into Britain before the second week of February.
Forecasters at Netweather predict a low pressure system may centre on the British Isles, before transferring to Scandinavia, which could see an end to a mild mercury for some – sparking a dramatic dip, and causing the onset of some snow for areas.
In its long-range outlook for February it says: “It will increasingly turn cold and sunny with northerly winds and potential for some snow, particularly in northern Scotland, and widespread overnight frosts.”
This somewhat echoes what the Met Office’s outlook is from February 10 to 24, where it gives a mixed picture for many.
It says: “Through the first part of February, changeable conditions are most likely, with the wettest and windiest conditions in the north and northwest, whilst it is likely to be drier further southeast.
“Although some wet and windy spells are still possible here. Through mid-February there is an increasing likelihood of more settled conditions or winds favouring a northerly component, which will increase the chance of some colder spells and greater likelihood of wintry conditions at times.”
New weather maps currently show Tuesday, February 6, being the first date of note – purely because snow flurries appear to hit Scotland and large swathes of northern England. For milder parts, from the Midlands southwards, this will fall as heavy showers.
But by 6am on February 8, things look set to take a dramatic turn. Nearly all of the country is set to see snow showers, although predictions over exactly what will lay and where are not yet confirmed.
This quick change is sparked by a colder onset from the east – where overnight temperatures are set to drop to 0C by midnight, and even to lows of -3C in areas like Yorkshire and Manchester.
By Saturday, February 10 the mercury could continue to fall – with temperatures slipping by another one to two degrees, opening the door to more widespread snow.
In rural villages near Newcastle overnight thermometer readings could drastically plunge to around -7C, with more snow showers likely on that second weekend of February.
Places such as Scarborough could see up to 2cm falling, but in typical fashion it will be Scotland which is most likely to cop the brunt of the snow deluge. Maps show huge snow coverings in Aberdeen, with up to 4cm coating Dundee overnight.
Jim Dale, a senior meteorologist at British Weather Services, added: “I can’t yet cement it in and one of the main models snubs it [the snow forecast]. But it remains a fair possibility at this stage, the north being the most likely recipients.”
Despite weather maps changing all of the time, the Met Office said there is an underlying confidence with its long-range forecasts.
In its weather blog, it adds: “Our long-range forecast systems suggest that there is an increased chance of colder than average conditions compared to normal as we head through the rest of this winter, with an increasing risk of cold weather impacts such as snow and ice.”
