A major snow event is set to blanket a vast stretch of the UK, with forecast maps predicting up to 15cm of snow across a 560-mile swath from the Midlands to northern Scotland. On Monday, January 26, counties stretching from Birmingham in the West Midlands all the way to Wick, the northernmost point of Scotland, are preparing for significant snowfall.
According to WX Charts, which use data from the Met Desk, snow will begin sweeping across this broad area around 6pm, intensifying through the night. By midnight on January 27, the snow cover is expected to be extensive, resulting in a continuous 30-hour snowfall event in many areas. The deepest snowfalls are forecast for the Cairngorms National Park, where accumulations may reach 15cm.
BBC Weather has provided an update emphasizing the complexity of the upcoming weather patterns. Two competing systems are influencing the UK’s forecast: a high-pressure system pushing from the northeast and an Atlantic low-pressure system moving eastwards. For the first part of the week, the Atlantic low is expected to dominate, bringing unsettled weather with showers or widespread rain in some regions.
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Temperatures are expected to hover around or just above the average for January, which means wintry precipitation will primarily affect northern high ground. Frosty nights may also occur during clearer periods between weather fronts.
Looking further ahead, weather confidence drops. There are indications that high pressure over Scandinavia and the Urals could strengthen and push westwards, potentially blocking Atlantic weather systems from reaching the UK. This scenario could introduce colder easterly winds and increase the likelihood of wintry showers, especially coming off the North Sea towards the end of the week.
However, there remains a possibility that milder Atlantic-driven weather will prevail, particularly across western regions, resulting in fewer wintry conditions.