The Met Office has released a comprehensive forecast identifying all the regions across the United Kingdom expected to experience snowfall before the start of next week. In a detailed five-day outlook covering Thursday, January 22, through to Monday, January 26, meteorologists have confirmed that wintry flurries are imminent for several parts of the country.
Areas Facing Snowfall This Weekend
According to the national weather service, Scotland is set to be the worst-hit area, with significant snow accumulations anticipated from Thursday onwards. The Met Office's official outlook highlights "spells of wet and windy weather" alongside "hill snow over Scotland," indicating challenging conditions for residents and travellers alike.
The forecast specifically warns of snow affecting the following locations:
- Scotland, particularly the Scottish mountains and higher ground
- Various hilly regions across the nation
- The north of England
- The east of England
Additional Weather Warnings for Rain and Wind
Alongside the snow alerts, the Met Office has issued a yellow warning for rain, primarily affecting southwest England and south Wales. This adverse weather is being driven by Storm Ingrid, which was named by the Portuguese meteorological service IPMA.
The storm is predicted to bring periods of heavy rainfall and strong winds to these areas throughout Friday, with conditions expected to gradually improve by Saturday morning. Forecasters caution that an initial band of rain early on Friday could deposit 10-20 mm of precipitation in just a few hours, exacerbating already saturated ground conditions.
Following a brief drier interval, further bands of locally intense rain and showers are forecast to move northwards during Friday afternoon, evening, and overnight. By Saturday morning, an additional 15-20 mm of rain is anticipated widely across the region, with some isolated spots potentially receiving 30-40 mm.
Risk of Flooding and Coastal Gales
Given the waterlogged state of the soil, the Met Office warns that this additional rainfall is likely to lead to some localised flooding. The second wave of precipitation will also be accompanied by strong winds and coastal gales, along with very large waves.
Wind gusts are expected to reach 45-50 mph inland, with coastal areas experiencing speeds of up to 60 mph. These winds are forecast to peak during Friday evening before slowly subsiding overnight and into Saturday morning.
Residents in the affected regions are advised to stay updated with the latest Met Office forecasts and travel advisories, as both snow and storm conditions could disrupt daily activities and transport networks.
