The United Kingdom is preparing for an extraordinary and prolonged period of wintry weather, with forecast maps now indicating a continuous snow event lasting a staggering 90 hours. According to data from WX Charts, the widespread snowfall is scheduled to commence on Saturday, January 4.
Timeline and Intensity of the Snow Event
The extended blizzard is predicted to begin its assault on January 4, with flurries persisting throughout January 5 and 6. The most intense periods could see accumulation rates reaching up to one inch per hour in some regions. The snow is finally expected to melt away by Wednesday, January 8, concluding the marathon freeze.
Separate advanced weather modelling confirms the significant impact, showing vast areas of the country blanketed by noon on Wednesday, January 7. In England, the initial flakes are forecast to start falling from around 6am on Tuesday, January 6, with blizzard conditions then spreading nationwide until at least the night of Thursday, January 8.
Regions Facing the Worst of the Winter Onslaught
Scotland is braced for the most severe conditions, with areas including Dundee in the firing line. However, the deep freeze will not be confined to the north. England is also set for substantial disruption.
The snowfall is likely to hit Greater Manchester, Lancashire, Cumbria, Northumberland, and Durham on January 7, before expanding to encompass Yorkshire and Lincolnshire. Norfolk could also see flurries, with the heaviest accumulations expected to be concentrated in eastern parts of the country.
Other regions set for significant snow include:
- North West England
- North East England
- Yorkshire and the Humber
- West Midlands
- East Midlands
The South West and South East are predicted to experience smaller, lighter flurries.
Current Chilly Conditions Set the Stage
The impending snow bomb follows a period of settled but cold weather across the UK. The BBC Weather team noted that through the Christmas period, most areas would be dry but colder than recently, with temperatures near or below the December average.
Maximum temperatures will mostly be in single digits, with brisk easterly winds making it feel particularly chilly, especially in southern coastal areas. While high pressure will bring a risk of fog patches, especially over Scotland, the general trend is for dry conditions with frosts, setting the stage for the incoming Arctic blast.
As the weekend approaches, the high-pressure centre is expected to drift, allowing north-easterly winds to usher in the colder air and moisture needed for the significant snow event forecast for the start of the New Year.
