Britain could be hit with up to 16 inches of snow in just under two weeks.
Britain could be blasted with up to 16 inches of snow in just under two weeks (Image: Getty)
Britain could be facing a major winter onslaught as new snow maps reveal a deep low-pressure system dragging freezing air across the country, bringing blizzard conditions, plunging temperatures and huge snowfall totals. WXCharts data based on the ECMWF model, generated on January 2, shows a powerful storm system tracking across the North Sea around January 13, pulling in bitterly cold air from the north and east.
With temperatures dipping to -10C in some areas, the maps suggest conditions could turn severe, particularly across northern England and Scotland. The maps show widespread snowfall developing as the low-pressure system deepens, with heavy snow bands pushing inland. Some areas could see up to 40cm (approximately 16 inches) of snow, enough to cause major disruption if the WXCharts scenario plays out.
A deep area of low pressure is predicted to form over the North Sea around January 13 (Image: WXCharts)
The first WXCharts map, a ‘Winter Overview’ chart, shows a deep area of low pressure forming over the North Sea around January 13. On this date, pressure values are predicted to drop, indicating a powerful system capable of generating widespread heavy precipitation.
Crucially, the chart also shows the 528dam line plunging south across the UK, as low as Swansea and the rest of south Wales. This is a classic signal of air cold enough for snow at low levels. With this cold air firmly in place, any precipitation associated with the low is likely to fall as snow.
Bands of precipitation can be seen pushing inland from the east and north-east. These bands are strongest across eastern Scotland, northern England and the Midlands. Strong pressure gradients also suggest powerful winds of 30 to 40mph, which has the potential to increase the risk of blizzard conditions.
Snow depth projections suggest widespread snow cover across much of the UK (Image: WXCharts)
The second WXCharts image displays the ECMWF snow depth projection. This map highlights widespread snow cover across much of the UK, with the deepest accumulations focused on higher ground, but still with significant totals at lower elevations.
Snow depth values could reach 30 to 40cm (12 to 16 inches) across parts of Scotland, including areas near Aberdeen, Dundee and the Highlands. Central and southern Scotland also see widespread totals of 20 to 30cm, while northern England shows notable accumulations stretching from the Pennines into urban areas.
Cities such as Manchester, Leeds and Sheffield are shown under 20 to 30cm of snow on the model output, while parts of the Midlands, including Birmingham and Stoke on Trent, could see 10 to 20cm, which could be enough to cause travel disruption and school closures.
Areas at risk of heavy snow on January 13
- Glasgow – 25–35cm
- Edinburgh – 20–30cm
- Aberdeen – locally 40cm
- Dundee – 25–35cm
- Newcastle – 15–25cm
- Manchester – 20–30cm
- Leeds – 15–25cm
- Sheffield – 20–30cm
- Stoke-on-Trent – 15–20cm
- Birmingham – 10–15cm
As of January 2, the Met Office‘s long-range weather forecast for the period January 7 through to January 16 reads: “The recent spell of cold, northerly winds should begin to ease by the middle of next week, with snow showers in the north and east becoming lighter and less frequent.
“However, bands of rain seem likely to gradually move in off the Atlantic and, as these encounter the cold air entrenched over the UK, some further snowfall is possible, particularly in central and eastern areas, with rain more likely in the west. From next weekend, the outlook becomes more uncertain. Most likely is that conditions will be less cold than recently, but there remains potential for further spells of snow, especially in northern and central areas.
“Further south and west, some milder interludes are possible, with the chance of some heavier rain and stronger winds at times.”
Regarding its long-term forecasting, the Met Office warns: “When looking at forecasts beyond five days into the future, the chaotic nature of the atmosphere begins to play a larger part – small events currently over the Atlantic can have potentially significant impacts on our weather in the UK in several days’ time”.
