Key Highlights
- The UK is set to experience a cold snap with potential snow in Scottish mountains over the weekend.
- Cold Arctic air brought wintry conditions and temperatures have dipped into single digits.
- A Met Office meteorologist predicts chilly mornings but expects temperatures to rise as the week progresses.
- Recent weather includes Storm Benjamin with heavy downpours and winds over 70mph in the UK this week.
UK Set for Cold Snap: Snow Warning on Sunday
The United Kingdom is bracing itself for a cold snap, which will be followed by potential snowfall across Scottish mountains. This weather phenomenon is expected to peak over the weekend, according to The Met Office.
Forecast Details and Current Conditions
According to the latest forecast from The Met Office, there may be a little bit of snow in the Scottish mountains on Sunday morning. The cold weather has been attributed to a “cold northerly airflow” over the weekend, with temperatures dipping into single digits.
On Saturday and Sunday, these days are predicted to be the coldest pair so far this season. While Sunday morning started off chilly but sunny in central and eastern parts of the UK, clouds moved in over Northern Ireland and Scotland, bringing outbreaks of rain moving southeastward throughout the day. Some colder air has also moved across Scottish mountains, increasing the chance of snow.
Expert Insight from Meteorologists
Greg Dewhurst, a Met Office meteorologist, provided further details about the upcoming weather conditions:
“We’ve had a cold northerly airflow across us so far this weekend, but all eyes to the northwest as this next weather system brings cloud and rain in from the northwest and sweeps it southeast across the country over the next 24 hours. It remains blustery into the beginning of next week, but signs of a bit more Atlantic weather coming in, allowing temperatures to rise a little further as the week goes on.”
Dewhurst continued: “But this morning a chilly start, particularly where we’ve got the sunny skies across central and eastern parts, but it quickly clouds over across Northern Ireland and Scotland, with outbreaks of rain moving in here and pushing slowly southeastward through the day. The rain could bump into some colder air across the Scottish mountains to give a little snow here, not unusual for the time of year, and the rain by the afternoon reaching the higher ground of Wales and the southwest of England, the southeast of England, generally staying cloudy, but perhaps thick enough by the end of the afternoon for some light and patchy rain developing here. Temperatures are set to remain similar to Saturday’s, which ranged from eight to 12C, with cloud and wind coming in from the northwest as it gets colder into the evening.”
Recent Weather Events
The cold snap comes after the UK was hit by Storm Benjamin during the week. This storm brought heavy downpours and winds over 70mph. Four yellow weather warnings were issued for Thursday, while more than 40 flood alerts were in place that morning.
Despite these challenging conditions, the forecast predicts a milder start to Monday with sunny spells and some showers.
However, by evening, it is expected to become breezy again. From Tuesday to Thursday, expect changeable weather with occasional rain or showers, particularly in the northwest. The southeast of England will remain drier and brighter during this period.
While temperatures are recovering towards average levels for most regions, the overall outlook suggests a continuation of the cold spell into next week. The Met Office advises UK residents to prepare accordingly as they face yet another round of wintry weather conditions.
Conclusion
Preparing for More Cold Weather
The UK faces more challenging weather ahead with potential snow in Scottish mountains on Sunday and a cold northerly airflow continuing over the weekend. Residents are advised to stay prepared, check local forecasts, and take necessary precautions as temperatures remain low, especially during chilly mornings.
