by Parts of the UK could experience heavy snow next week thanks to the Arctic air mass spreading over the UK, prompting yellow weather warnings for snow and ice for Scotland on Sunday and Monday.
Deputy Chief Meteorologist David Hayter said a northerly airflow will bring arctic air to the UK from Sunday, with snow showers centered on Northern Ireland and northern areas of Scotland. He said there is a “constant chance” of disruptive snow.
Mr Hayter said snow would initially fall in northern coastal areas before moving south-west as cold air collides with warmer air, adding: “It is where these air masses meet that there is a chance there will be “substantial snow in some places. At the moment, the models are showing us a variety of options for exactly when and how this situation plays out and it’s something we’ll be able to add more detail to in the coming days.”
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has issued a cold weather alert, which also warned it could escalate to an amber alert for some regions on Sunday. An Amber Alert means the impacts of the climate are likely to be felt across the health service.
The Met Office has issued yellow weather warnings for snow and ice for Scotland, saying snow showers are likely to cause some travel disruption and icy surfaces. He said people should expect some roads and railways to be affected with longer journey times by road, buses and trains, as well as some icy patches on some roads, untreated pavements and cycle lanes and the potential for injuries from slips and falls on ice. surfaces.
BBC Wales chief meteorologist Derek Brockway said on X: “There is a risk of a spell of heavy rain and heavy snow next Wednesday as low pressure moves in from the Atlantic.” However, he added: “Predicting snow in the UK is tricky and never trust a snow forecast more than three days in advance.”
RAC Breakdown said travel plans could be affected, and drivers are advised to be prepared in the event of a breakdown during the cold weather.
It comes after the UK Health Security Agency issued a cold weather alert covering the East and West Midlands, the North West of England, the South East and the South West, from Tuesday to Friday.
Cold weather can increase the risks of heart attacks, strokes and respiratory infections and can have a serious impact on the health of older people and those with pre-existing health problems. There is also a yellow health alert for a cold for the North East of England, Yorkshire and the Humber, the East of England and London.
Dr Agostinho Sousa, of the UKHSA, said: “The temperatures we will see before the weekend can quickly have a serious impact on the health of people over 65 and those with pre-existing health conditions, as it increases the risk of heart attacks, strokes and chest infections.
The UKHSA said on its site: “This alert may increase to AMBER for some regions on Sunday 14 January 2023. Please note that the Met Office may issue national severe weather warnings (e.g. snow and ice) at short notice. , what you must report”. keep in mind, so you can take the appropriate steps to prepare.”
The Met Office has published projections for where it thinks it could snow in the coming days.
sunday 6pm
Monday 6pm
Tuesday 6 a.m.
Wednesday 3 a.m.
Below, Yahoo breaks down what the weather will be like in each region of the UK.
Scotland
Heavy rain is forecast to hit the far northwest of the country on Friday night, turning to hail in some areas as it heads south overnight on Friday. Temperatures will remain above freezing.
Temperatures will begin to drop below freezing and could reach as low as -3°C in some areas. Heavy snow and rain is forecast to be almost constant across much of the highlands during the start of the week, but clearer skies are expected over Glasgow and Edinburgh. Yellow weather warnings for snow and ice in effect for Sunday and Monday.
London and the South East
Dry and cloudy weather, but cold in much of the region with temperatures around the freezing point.
Temperatures drop to negative temperatures with the start of the week and rain begins to fall in the capital on Sunday night. Heavy hail and snow are forecast off the coast, but are not expected to reach the region until the end of the week.
South west
Temperatures will hover between 3 and 5°C during the day and drop to freezing after dark, with clouds expected throughout the day and some smaller showers.
Significant amounts of rain are forecast from the east on Sunday and hail will develop in north Cornwall overnight. Hail and rain will spread across the region throughout Monday and Tuesday with temperatures remaining between 0 and 5°C.
the midlands of england
Temperatures around 2-5C and dry and cloudy until showers hit the region on Saturday night.
Temperatures become colder and reach as low as -2°C with clouds covering the sky for most of the start of the week. Rain is forecast across much of the region until Monday night, when a blanket of heavy snow is expected to fall just north of Birmingham.
Northeast
Mostly dry and cloudy for much of the weekend, light rain is forecast in some regions and hail is forecast north of Newcastle on Saturday morning. Temperatures are expected to range between 2 and 5°C.
Temperatures are getting much colder, reaching -3C with clearer skies than much of the rest of the UK predicted. Much of the snow will arrive just south of the region and there is a chance it will spread northward later on Tuesday.
Northwest
Cloudy with showers across much of the region on Friday before more widespread showers fall on Saturday night. Temperatures remain above freezing with the possibility of reaching 7C in Liverpool.
Rain with a chance of snow near Kendal on Sunday morning, but much of the rest of the region was spared snow until Monday night. Heavy snow, rain and hail are expected to cover the region from 6:00 pm on Monday and last overnight into the early hours of Tuesday. The heaviest snowfall in the country is expected south of Preston on Tuesday morning. Temperatures will remain around freezing.
North Ireland
Rain is forecast across the south of the country on Friday and Saturday with clearer skies expected in Belfast. Temperatures will remain around 5ºC.
Temperatures will approach freezing as the week begins with some freezing temperatures predicted at night. Rain and hail are forecast for much of the country on Sunday and Monday, turning to snow as Monday progresses. Heavy snowfall is forecast for most of the country by the end of Monday.
Welsh
Light rain across much of the country on Friday and Saturday with more widespread rain spreading across the north on Saturday night. Temperatures will remain around 5C in the north with colder temperatures near freezing in the south.
Temperatures are expected to hit freezing across Wales early in the week, with sporadic showers turning to hail as time goes on.
Snow is forecast around Snowdonia, Cardigan and Wrexham on Monday night and large clouds of hail will hit the north of the country on Tuesday morning.
