Forecasters are warning of a significant 'snow bomb' event set to strike the United Kingdom later this month, with large parts of the Midlands expected to be heavily impacted.
According to the latest data from WX Charts, a massive band of snow is predicted to land across the country on Thursday, January 29. The projections indicate that while Scotland faces a near-total covering, England will also be hit hard, particularly in northern and central regions.
Which Midlands Counties Are At Risk?
The medium to long-term forecasts suggest the Midlands will not escape the wintry onslaught. The weather maps show over thirty UK cities and towns bracing for snowfall, with a significant number located in the West Midlands and East Midlands.
The counties identified as being at particular risk include Staffordshire, Shropshire, Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire, and Derbyshire. The entire Black Country area is also under threat, meaning towns like Dudley, Tipton, Wolverhampton, and Walsall should prepare for potential disruption. Stoke-on-Trent is similarly forecast to receive a covering.
Full List of Towns and Cities in the Firing Line
Based on the current meteorological models, residents in the following locations are advised to stay updated on the developing situation:
- Staffordshire: Stafford, Burton upon Trent, Cannock, Newcastle-under-Lyme, Tamworth, Leek, Lichfield, Rugeley, Burntwood, and Kidsgrove.
- Nottinghamshire: Nottingham city, Mansfield, Newark-on-Trent, Worksop, Beeston, Arnold, Retford, Sutton-in-Ashfield, and Kirkby-in-Ashfield.
- Derbyshire: Chesterfield, Bakewell, Buxton, Ashbourne, Matlock, Wirksworth, and Swadlincote.
- Leicestershire: Leicester city, Loughborough, Hinckley, Market Harborough, Melton Mowbray, Ashby-de-la-Zouch, Coalville, Lutterworth, and Oadby.
What is Causing This Snow Event?
Expert analysis points to significant changes in atmospheric patterns driving the severe forecast. Jo Farrow, a forecaster for Netweather, provided insight into the developing situation.
"There is a huge meander in the jetstream which disrupts with a cut off low heading north to the Arctic and the more southern portion dipping away into northern Africa," Farrow explained.
She added that this pattern means "nothing near NW Europe to fire up another storm close to the UK for a while." Consequently, "Air from the southeast will try to reach over the UK from the continent as the Atlantic struggles to have much effect by the end of this weekend."
This shift is expected to allow colder continental air to dominate, creating the ideal conditions for widespread snow as moisture interacts with the freezing temperatures over the UK.
Residents across the listed Midlands towns are urged to monitor official weather warnings from the Met Office as the date approaches and to consider making necessary preparations for potential travel disruption and cold weather conditions.
