The UK is bracing for a severe snow bomb set to deliver temperatures as low as -12°C, with conditions worse than earlier forecasts suggested. According to weather maps from WX Charts, which use data from Met Desk and the ECMWF HRES model, snow flurries will sweep across the country starting February 3.
Scotland is predicted to face the harshest cold, with Inverness and the Scottish Highlands experiencing the lowest temperatures. Major Scottish cities including Glasgow, Aberdeen, Dundee, and Edinburgh will be blanketed in snow, with widespread coverage extending from Wick in the north to Swansea in Wales.
In England, areas expected to be impacted include Newcastle, York, the Yorkshire Dales, Carlisle, and Middlesborough, where temperatures may drop to around -3°C.
READ MORE: ‘Stylish’ £36 M&S Knitted Waistcoat Shoppers Want in More Colours
READ MORE: 14 English Counties Set to Avoid Upcoming UK Snowstorm Starting Tuesday
The Met Office forecast from January 28 highlights the influence of weather systems moving in from the Atlantic, which are expected to stall near the UK due to high pressure in the north and northeast. This will bring intermittent spells of rain and showers, particularly heavy and persistent in southern and western regions. Meanwhile, colder air masses positioned to the northeast will cause wintry showers, especially over hills, with snow potentially reaching other areas when warmer fronts meet cold air.
Looking ahead to February 7 and beyond, the Met Office anticipates a continuation of this pattern. Atlantic frontal systems will occasionally push eastward, with wetter conditions likely in central and southern parts of the UK, while northern and northwestern regions remain comparatively drier. Despite mild, wet, and windy weather at times in the south and west, colder temperatures in northern and northeastern areas will sustain an increased risk of wintry hazards, particularly when precipitation collides with cold air masses.
Residents across the UK should prepare for a significant cold snap accompanied by snow and icy conditions in the coming days.