UK snow maps show huge 647-mile wall of ice to unleash chaos with 24-hour Arctic blast
Latest weather maps suggest that the northern parts of Britain will be covered under layers of snow as temperature levels plummet to shivering -5C.
Met Office gives verdict on chance of snow in January
An Arctic polar blast will severely hit parts of the UK a huge 647-mile of snow will batter areas ranging from Wick in Scotland to Cardiff in a matter of a few hours. Latest weather maps suggest that the northern parts of Britain will be covered under layers of snow as temperature levels plummet to shivering -5C.
Numerous regions across the UK experienced temperatures approaching freezing this morning, posing a risk of ice. Glasgow recorded a low of approximately -5C overnight, while temperatures in the Highlands dropped to as low as -7C.
Maps from WXcharts hint at the beginning of the wintry conditions from January 16 with a polar air moving towards Britain. The change in the weather conditions will bring in more chill to most parts of the country.
But the conditions will take a drastic change within 24 hours as maps show most of the UK being caked with snow. Maps show a huge wall of snow covering Wick to Cardiff in a matter of few hours.
While initially the snow could be seen only in the topmost parts of Scotland on January 16, it gradually spread across England with areas like Manchester, Birmingham, and Cardiff being covered with ice.
The Met Office’s long-range forecast between January 13 and 22 stated: “Cloudy, with patchy light rain or drizzle for central and southern areas, although many areas staying largely dry. Sunny spells and scattered showers, wintry in places, further north, most frequent along coasts.
“Winds will be light with temperatures likely to be a little below average. Into the start of the following week, it is likely to turn colder as northerly winds begin to develop across of the UK and bring a risk of snow showers, particularly across the north. Further bands of light rain and drizzle may also sink south at times.
“There is a very small risk of a period of snow across some southern areas for a time. Confidence is low through the rest of this period, but an increased chance of unsettled conditions returning from the west.”
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Jim Dale, a meterologist from British Weather Services had told Express.co.uk: “The weather conditions seem normal and steady at the moment but by the next week, it’s going to turn cold. While there will be sporadic snow showers this week, it’s going to be different as we move on to the next week. Polar air from the south-west is likely to bring frost and ice and north-eastern areas of the country will be the worst hit.
“The whole of the UK is going to be covered with wintry snow with severe ice possibility in Scotland.
"It’s going to be a long stretch of cold weather so people need to start preparing for it. What we are going to see in the next week is going to be quite hazardous in terms of ice, which will come and go.
"In December, we did see some mild temperatures but January is going to be the first below-average month for this winter season.”
Met Office's five-day forecast
Today:
Dry with sunny spells for most, especially across the south which will see long sunny periods. A few wintry showers possible, mainly in the northeast and southwest of England. Feeling cold especially in brisk winds across the south.
Tonight:
Scattered light coastal showers for northeastern England where it will often be cloudy. Dry elsewhere with clear spells leading to a widespread frost, severe in places. Breezy in the south.
Wednesday:
Remaining mostly dry with sunshine in the south. Cloudy with light rain and drizzle for northern parts, turning wintry over high ground. Staying cold throughout with temperatures below average.
Outlook for Thursday to Saturday:
Cloudier into the weekend with temperatures becoming slightly milder than in recent days. By Saturday, northerly winds bring in lower temperatures once again with the risk of wintry showers.