The United Kingdom is bracing for a possible 10-day snow event reminiscent of the infamous “Beast from the East” of 2018, which brought widespread disruption and freezing conditions to the region. Meteorologists have highlighted the emergence of weather patterns strikingly similar to those that triggered that extreme cold snap, raising concerns that winter chaos might return.
Jim Dale, senior meteorologist at British Weather Services, shared insights with the Mirror about the potential timeline of the snowstorm. “If a Beast event develops, it could start around January 21 and may persist into early February without interruption. Such prolonged snow infiltration lasting a week or even a week and a half would not be unprecedented. However, if it fizzles out, the impact would be limited to just a few days.”
The Beast from the East phenomenon occurs when frigid air masses from Siberia collide with warm, moisture-rich Atlantic air. This clash results in plummeting temperatures and widespread snowfall, often leading to icy roads and hazardous travel conditions. The 2018 event was responsible for numerous fatalities and significant disruption across the UK.
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Looking ahead, the Met Office’s forecast for Thursday, January 15, calls for a changeable day with rain showers and occasional frost and fog overnight. Heavy rain combined with strong winds will move northeast across central, southern, and eastern England as well as eastern Wales. Meanwhile, northern areas will experience sunshine alongside scattered wintry showers.
By nightfall, rain and strong winds are expected to clear eastward, yielding clearer skies and lingering showers in western parts of the UK, with frost and fog returning in places.
Friday, January 16, is predicted to begin with frost and fog clearing to bright sunshine and showery conditions. Showers will be most frequent in the west and southwest, where hail and thunder are also possible amid breezy conditions.
The period from Saturday to Monday, January 17-19, will bring a variable mix of bright spells, rain showers, and overnight frost and fog patches. Some fog may become freezing and slow to dissipate, adding further challenges to travel and outdoor activities.
With winter poised to potentially deliver an extended bout of snow and cold, residents are advised to prepare for fluctuating conditions and keep abreast of the latest forecasts.