Met Office Identifies UK Regions Facing February Snowfall
The Met Office has published comprehensive weather forecasts for February, highlighting specific areas across the United Kingdom that are likely to experience snowfall and colder conditions. Forecasters have issued two separate weather outlooks, with the first covering the period from Monday, February 2nd, to Wednesday, February 11th.
Initial Forecast: Unsettled Conditions with Colder Shift
According to the Met Office, the beginning of February is expected to mirror current weather patterns, characterised by largely unsettled conditions. Many regions will see showers or prolonged spells of rain, accompanied by occasionally strong winds. However, a significant change is anticipated during the latter half of this period.
The Met Office explains: "A subtle change is now looking likely during the second half of this period, as the winds look like backing off to more of an easterly or northeasterly direction." This shift is predicted to bring colder temperatures and an increased risk of snow, particularly in northern areas.
Regions at Risk of Snow and Colder Weather
The forecast specifically names the north east of England as a region likely to see snow. The Met Office states: "It is likely to remain largely unsettled, especially towards the south, but it is likely to become colder with an increasing risk of snow, more particularly in the north. An often brisk wind will accentuate the colder feel too."
Looking ahead from February 12th onwards, the Met Office anticipates a north-south weather split. Initially, low pressure is expected to dominate the south, while high pressure prevails in the north. This pattern may later transition to a southwest-northeast split, similar to current conditions.
Longer-Term Outlook: Increased Wintry Hazards
With the jet stream positioned further south than usual, the wettest conditions are forecast for southern regions. In contrast, northwestern parts of the UK are likely to experience drier than normal weather.
The Met Office adds: "Whilst incursions of wet, windy and milder weather are favoured at times in the south and later the west, colder conditions further north will bring an increased risk of wintry hazards, especially where any precipitation from the southwest interacts with the cold air."
Colder conditions may affect all parts of the UK at times, particularly early in this period, heightening the potential for snow and related disruptions.
