Britain is bracing for a second and potentially more severe bout of wintry weather, with forecasters warning of a new 'snow bomb' set to unleash twelve hours of non-stop flurries across multiple regions.
Sunday's Snow Timeline and High-Risk Areas
According to the latest data from WX Charts, which utilises Met Desk information, the intense period of snowfall is predicted to sweep in during the morning of Sunday, January 11. The wintry precipitation is then expected to spread steadily eastwards as the day progresses.
From midnight on Sunday, counties initially in the firing line include:
- Cumbria
- Northumberland and Durham
- Yorkshire and Lancashire
- Greater Manchester and Derbyshire
The risk zone expands later to encompass Nottinghamshire, Staffordshire, the West Midlands conurbation, Lincolnshire, and even parts of Essex. By midday, the snow flurries are projected to push further east towards southern regions and East Anglia, with Norfolk and Suffolk highlighted as particularly at-risk during the middle of the day.
Meteorological Context and Expert Analysis
The BBC Weather forecast explains the complex atmospheric setup. It notes that while high pressure will attempt to bring drier spells, it will likely be overwhelmed by Atlantic frontal systems and low-pressure circulations arriving from the west and north-west.
"These should bring more widespread precipitation at times but with a fine line between rain and snow as temperatures gradually rise day by day, and details are very uncertain," the forecast states. It adds that despite a gradual warming trend, conditions will remain colder than average, allowing for occasional snow over higher ground and to low levels in Scotland.
Netweather TV's Jo Farrow provided further insight, describing a "mess of two low centres" affecting the UK. "All this precipitation will encounter the cold Arctic air, resulting in a mix of icy rain, sleet and snow," Farrow said, highlighting a particularly tricky, even stormy low from the southwest for Thursday night that will precede the weekend event.
What to Expect in the Coming Days
The forecast indicates a blustery, changeable and chilly weekend ahead for much of the country. There is also a specific warning for Friday, with a hint of a deeper low-pressure system passing across the southern half of the UK, potentially bringing snow on its northern edge and rain to the south.
This incoming weather system follows a week where bitter Arctic cold has dominated, with Atlantic low pressures now complicating the existing snow shower pattern. Residents across the highlighted regions are advised to stay updated with the latest local forecasts and travel advice as the situation develops.
