Britain is preparing for a significant winter weather event later this month, with forecasters predicting a vast wall of snow to sweep across England. New weather maps indicate a band of snowfall, stretching approximately 196 miles, is on course to arrive on Sunday, January 18.
Counties in the Path of the Snow
According to data from WX Charts, which utilises Metdesk information, the snow is projected to begin falling from around 6pm on January 18. The system is expected to move from the North West, traversing the country and affecting a swathe of ten counties.
The areas forecast to be blanketed include:
- Merseyside
- Cheshire
- Shropshire
- Staffordshire
- West Midlands
- Worcestershire
- Warwickshire
- Gloucestershire
- Wiltshire
- Hampshire
This path suggests major urban centres like Birmingham could see significant accumulation, with earlier forecasts hinting at up to 3.7cm for the city in the days preceding the main event.
Met Office Outlook for Mid-January
The Met Office's broader forecast for the week leading up to January 18 suggests a changeable and potentially disruptive period. A spokesperson stated that Atlantic weather systems will bring spells of rain, likely preceded by snow in some regions.
The northern and eastern parts of the UK are deemed more likely to experience wintry precipitation during this time. The forecaster also warned of the potential for "some significant snowfall" in places, particularly over northern hills, accompanied by strong winds from low-pressure systems.
These unsettled spells will be interspersed with drier, colder interludes, bringing risks of frost and wintry showers along coasts exposed to northerly winds. While temperatures are expected to trend closer to average after a cold start, especially in the south, the Met Office notes a hint that conditions may "briefly turn more widely drier and colder again" towards the end of the period.
Preparing for Winter Hazards
The impending snow wall highlights the ongoing risk of winter weather hazards as January progresses. Residents across the affected counties are advised to monitor the latest forecasts from the Met Office and WX Charts as the date approaches.
The combination of snow and potential strong winds could lead to travel disruption, particularly on roads and possibly rail networks in the Midlands and southern regions. Local authorities and transport agencies will likely be preparing contingency plans to grit roads and manage any impacts.
While the focus is currently on the January 18 event, the broader forecast indicates that the UK is not done with winter weather, and further cold snaps remain a distinct possibility through the latter half of the month.
