Map reveals where snow will fall this week – as Met Office’s pre-Christmas forecast warns of ‘severe gales’ and rain
THE Met Office has revealed a map showing exactly where snow will fall this week as its pre-Christmas forecast also warned of “severe gales” and rain.
From Wednesday night into Thursday, parts of the UK could be blanketed with flakes as a colder air moves across the country.
For much of Thursday, parts of northern and western Scotland are set to receive a bout of snow.
Met Office meteorologist Honor Criswick said there will be “plenty of showers” around the coasts of both Northern Ireland and Scotland on Thursday but that these could “fall wintry over high ground” across parts of northern Scotland.
This comes as colder air sweeps across the UK, bringing “markedly colder” conditions on Thursday.
The agency’s pre-Christmas forecast also warned of “severe gales” across parts of the UK this week.
As early as this evening, we could see “strengthening winds” across western and northern parts of Britain, especially coastal areas.
Meteorologist Alex Burkill described tonight’s weather as largely mild although some heavy rain could hit parts of the UK.
He said: “[There will be] outbreaks of rain across much of the country, some heavy bursts, also those strong winds to watch out for.
“[It will be] a pretty cloudy, wet at times, and windy night to come.”
Heading into Wednesday morning, however, there is a risk of “potentially quite strong winds” and gales across these same western parts of the UK, with the starkest warning coming for any “exposed” coastal regions.
As the day progresses, the Met Office also warned there could be a risk of “severe gales” in parts of northern Scotland.
Honor added: “We are going to see some potentially quite strong winds particularly in those western areas there’s a risk of gales.
“Then, later on in the far north of Scotland, there’s a risk of some severe gales.”
Later on Wednesday, a new system is also expected to arrive, bringing “heavier and more persistent rain” across the South West and Wales.
While it makes its way across much of England, Scotland is largely expected to stay dry, with some scattered showers.
However, temperatures are forecast to rise across much of the UK, with the exception of Scotland as colder air arrives in the north.
By Thursday, it’s expected to be colder for everyone, with the weather becoming more mild by Friday.
The Met Office five-day forecast
TODAY
Outbreaks of rain soon spreading into Northern Ireland and Scotland, then spreading erratically eastwards into Wales and western England during the afternoon.
Largely dry but often cloudy elsewhere. Feeling mild, but winds strengthening throughout the day, especially in the west.
TONIGHT
A windy night, with outbreaks of rain spreading across all parts. Heaviest and most persistent rain across western hills, with some clearer albeit showery conditions arriving into the northwest later.
WEDNESDAY
A blustery and colder day across the north, with showers moving across many parts. Southern areas will see a band of wind and rain move northeastwards, but staying mild here.
THURSDAY TO SATURDAY
Colder for all on Thursday with sunshine and showers, after early rain clears the south. Milder again from Friday but staying changeable and often windy, with further spells of rain.