Parts of Britain could see heavy snowfall over the next week thanks to the Arctic air mass spreading across Britain, which has led to yellow weather warnings for snow and ice for Scotland on Sunday and Monday.
Deputy Chief Meteorologist David Hayter said a northerly airflow will bring arctic air to Britain from Sunday, with snow showers around Northern Ireland and northern parts of Scotland. He said there is a “continued likelihood” of some disruptive snow.
Hayter said the snow would initially hit coastal areas in the north before moving southwest as cool air collides with milder air, adding: “It’s where these air masses meet that on some places there is a chance of some substantial snow. Right now there is a chance of substantial snow.” Models are showing us different options for when and how exactly this situation will play out and it’s something we can add more details to in the coming days.”
A cold weather warning has been issued by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), which also warned it could be escalated to an amber warning for some regions on Sunday. An orange warning means the impact of the weather is likely to be felt across the healthcare system.
The Met Office has issued yellow weather warnings for snow and ice for Scotland, saying snow showers are likely to cause some travel disruptions and icy surfaces. It says people should expect some roads and railways to be affected by longer journey times by road, bus and train, as well as some icy patches on some untreated roads, pavements and cycle paths and the potential for injuries from slips and falls on icy roads. surfaces.
Senior meteorologist at BBC Wales Derek Brockway said on X: “There is a risk of a period of heavy rain and heavy snow next Wednesday as low pressure moves in from the Atlantic Ocean.” However, he added: “Predicting snow in Britain is tricky and never rely on a snow forecast that is more than three days ahead.”
RAC Breakdown said travel plans could be affected, with drivers advised to be prepared in the event of a breakdown during cold weather.
It comes after the UK Health Security Agency issued a cold weather warning for the East and West Midlands, the North West of England, the South East and the South West, which runs from Tuesday to Friday.
The cold weather can increase the risk of heart attacks, strokes and respiratory infections and can have serious health consequences for the elderly and people with pre-existing health problems. A yellow cold warning is also in force for the North East of England, Yorkshire and The Humber, the East of England and London.
Dr. Agostinho Sousa, from the UKHSA, said: “The temperatures we will see in the run-up to the weekend could quickly have a serious impact on the health of people over 65 and those with pre-existing health conditions, as it increases the risk of diseases increases. heart attacks, strokes and respiratory infections.”
The UKHSA said on its site: “This warning may be escalated to AMBER for some regions on Sunday 14 January 2023. Please note that the Met Office may issue national severe weather warnings (e.g. snow and ice) at short notice which will alert you need to be aware so that you can take appropriate action to prepare for it.”
The Met Office has released projections of where it thinks snow could fall in the coming days.
Sunday 6:00 PM
Monday 6:00 PM
Tuesday 6:00 am
Wednesday 3 o’clock
Below, Yahoo details what the weather will be like for each region of Britain.
Scotland
Heavy rain is forecast to hit the northwestern tip of the country on Friday evening, developing into hail in some areas southwards overnight. Temperatures remain above freezing.
Temperatures begin to drop below freezing and can even drop to -3 degrees Celsius in some areas. Heavy snow and rain are forecast to be near constant across much of the highlands through the early part of the week, but clearer skies are expected to prevail over Glasgow and Edinburgh. Yellow weather warnings for snow and ice are in effect for Sunday and Monday.
London and the South East
Dry and cloudy weather, but cold in much of the region with temperatures around freezing.
Temperatures will drop into the negative as the week starts and rain will creep in around the capital on Sunday evening. Heavy hail and snow are forecast for the coast, but are not expected to hit the region until later in the week.
South West
Temperatures around 3-5C during the day, dropping to freezing after dark, with cloud throughout and some smaller showers.
Significant amounts of rain are forecast from the east on Sunday, developing into hail in north Cornwall in the evening. The hail and rain will spread across the region on Monday and Tuesday, with temperatures remaining between 0 and 5 degrees.
Midlands
Temperatures around 2-5 degrees Celsius and dry and cloudy until showers hit the region on Saturday evening.
Temperatures will turn colder, dropping to -2 degrees Celsius, with clouds covering the sky for most of the early part of the week. Showers are forecast across much of the region until Monday evening, with a blanket of heavy snow expected just north of Birmingham.
Northeast
Mostly dry and cloudy for much of the end of the week, with light showers in some regions and hail forecast north of Newcastle on Saturday morning. The temperature is expected to fluctuate between 2 and 5 degrees Celsius.
Temperatures will be much cooler, reaching -3ºC with clearer skies than much of the rest of Britain had predicted. Much of the snow will fall just south of the region and could spread north later Tuesday.
North West
It will be cloudy in much of the region on Friday and there will be showers in most of the region. More rain will fall on Saturday evening. Temperatures will remain above freezing with a chance of 7 degrees around Liverpool.
Rain on Sunday morning with a chance of snow near Kendal, but much of the rest of the region was spared snow until Monday evening. Heavy snow, rain and hail are expected to blanket the region from 6pm on Monday and last through the night and into the early hours of Tuesday. The heaviest snowfall in the country is expected south of Preston on Tuesday morning. Temperatures remain around freezing.
Northern Ireland
Rain is forecast in the south of the country on Friday and Saturday, while clearer skies are expected in Belfast. Temperatures remain around 5 degrees.
Temperatures are heading towards freezing at the start of the week, with some below-freezing temperatures forecast in the evening hours. Rain and hail are forecast for much of the country during the day on Sunday and Monday, with snow progressing to Monday. Heavy snow is forecast for most of the country late Monday.
Wales
There will be light showers in much of the country on Friday and Saturday. More rain will fall in the north on Saturday evening. In the north, temperatures remain around 5 degrees Celsius, while in the south cooler temperatures are closer to freezing.
Temperatures are expected to reach freezing across Wales early this week, with sporadic showers turning to hail over time.
Snow was forecast around Snowdonia, Cardigan and Wrexham on Monday evening, while large hailstorms reached the north of the country on Tuesday morning.