The UK is preparing for a second major winter weather event, with forecasters predicting a 736-mile-long snow system to arrive this weekend.
Widespread Snowfall Expected
Maps and data from WX Charts indicate that this significant snow event will bring flurries from Scotland all the way down to the south coast, potentially affecting areas like Brighton. The most severe conditions are anticipated around Sunday, November 23.
The forecast, which utilises Met Desk data and the advanced GFS (Global Forecast System) model, shows a wide swathe of the country could see snowfall. Counties directly in the firing line include Lancashire, Yorkshire, Greater Manchester, Cumbria, and Durham. Further south, Northumberland, Derbyshire, Shropshire, Buckinghamshire, Bedfordshire, and Cambridgeshire are also on alert.
Regions on Alert for Winter Weather
Even southern and eastern regions are not expected to be spared. The forecasts suggest that Lincolnshire, Dover, Sussex, Kent, Greater London, Surrey, and Essex could all receive a dusting of snow.
The BBC Weather team has described the period from Wednesday, November 18th to Sunday, November 23rd as "cold and unsettled with wintriness in places". They attribute this to cold north to northwesterly winds that will dominate until the weekend.
These winds are expected to bring further showers, which will be wintry from about the Midlands and South Wales northwards. In Scotland, snow is forecast to fall to lower levels temporarily, with some accumulations expected. There is also an isolated risk of thunder and hail.
Cold Snap and Frontal System
The weather service notes that Friday will likely see the lowest temperatures of this cold snap, with northern Scotland experiencing particularly frigid conditions. While a ridge of high pressure will bring drier weather for a time, it will be short-lived.
Later on Friday and through Saturday, a new frontal system will move in slowly from the Atlantic. This will cause rain to edge across the UK, starting in Scotland and preceded by further mountain snow. This system could bring heavy precipitation and may draw in cold air, leading to hill snow and sleet further south during Saturday before milder air eventually returns, with showery conditions following into Sunday.
