A significant winter freeze is poised to grip the United Kingdom, with forecasters predicting snow for 21 counties and temperatures set to plummet as low as -4 degrees Celsius. New weather maps indicate the cold snap will arrive in early January, bringing disruptive conditions to parts of England, Scotland, and Northern Ireland.
Forecast Details: Dates and Temperatures
According to data from forecaster WXCharts, the mercury will begin to drop sharply from Sunday, January 4. The most severe cold is expected in the north, with the Scottish Highlands bracing for lows of -4C. In England, the coldest conditions will centre on Cumbria and the Lake District, where temperatures will hover around 0C to -1C.
The Met Office's broader outlook suggests high pressure will dominate, leading to largely dry and settled weather, especially in the south. However, they note temperatures will be "close to or slightly below normal," with a potential for more unsettled conditions later in the period.
Snowfall Timeline and Affected Areas
The first significant snow is charted for Wednesday, January 6, at 6pm. Initially, it will be mostly confined to Scotland, with only a small patch reaching Cumbria in England. By midnight on Thursday, January 7, the snow is forecast to extend further south, affecting areas including Gloucester, Swindon, Cirencester, and parts of the Cotswolds.
In Northern Ireland, snowfall is expected to reach Belfast, Ballymoney, Cookstown, and Dungannon. While large parts of Scotland, particularly the east coast, will see widespread cover, the rest of England is predicted to remain largely free from snow apart from the specified counties.
Full List of Counties Under Snow Alert
The following counties have been identified in the forecasts for upcoming snow:
England:
- Cumbria
- Durham
- Berkshire
- Oxfordshire
- Hampshire
Scotland:
- Highland
- Argyll and Bute
- Stirling
- Perth and Kinross
- North Ayrshire
- South Lanarkshire
- East Ayrshire
- Inverclyde
- West Dunbartonshire
- Renfrewshire
- North Lanarkshire
Northern Ireland:
- Antrim
Residents in these areas are advised to stay updated with the latest local forecasts from the Met Office and prepare for potential travel disruption and icy conditions as the cold front establishes itself across the country.
