UK snow maps warn of 13 inches hitting the Britain next week in huge Arctic blast

The Met Office has warned of a ‘increased chance’ of snow falling in the UK towards the end of January, as weather forecasters say cold air from Europe could feed into Britain

Advanced weather prediction maps are indicating the possibility of more snowfall across the UK next week, accompanied by bouts of heavy rain.

This forecast comes in the wake of a Met Office warning that cold air sweeping in from Europe could “increase the chance” of snow descending on Britain towards the end of this month. Earlier this month, the UK experienced its chilliest January night in 15 years during an Arctic blast, with temperatures plummeting to -18C.

WXCharts’ weather maps depict a swirling weather system originating from the Atlantic and heading our way next Saturday, bringing with it both rain showers and snow. The snow is predicted to sweep across Wales, move into northern England, and finally reach Scotland.

According to the maps, snow could be falling at a rate of approximately 3cm per hour in northern England and Scotland around midday next Saturday. There may also be sporadic but intense snow flurries in Wales and the south-west of England.

The snowfall is expected to ease off on Sunday, only to make a comeback overnight and in the early hours of January 27, once again covering northern parts of England and Scotland. WXCharts’ maps indicate snow falling at a rate of around 3cm per hour just south of Edinburgh at midnight next Sunday, reports the Mirror.

Snow depth charts suggest that the storm could deposit as much as 33cm (13in) on the North Pennines, and 28cm (11in) on Cairngorms National Park. Most of the snow will be concentrated around the Scotland-England border, although North Wales might also get a dusting of the white stuff.

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The Met Office’s forecast for January 22 to January 31 suggests: “A transition to a rather more changeable and at times unsettled weather pattern is likely to occur during the first few days of this period.

“Outbreaks of rain and freshening winds will probably make inroads from the southwest during Thursday ahead of conditions more widely becoming wetter and windier by next weekend.”

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“Whilst a milder, wetter and windier scenario is considered most likely, there remains a small chance that colder air from Europe may continue to feed into northern Britain, especially at first, increasing the chance of snowfall here.

“Towards the end of January, further periods of strong winds and heavy rain are likely to move in from the Atlantic. Whilst generally mild conditions look to close out the month, some large day to day changes in temperature are possible.”