A new weather forecast indicates that another snowstorm could blanket major cities in the UK, including London, in the upcoming week. The latest models project a significant snow system moving across the country starting from the early hours of January 9, with wintry weather expected as early as 6 am. Some areas might see up to fifteen inches of snow, while London could wake up to slightly over two inches.
The Met Office has already issued snow and ice warnings for this week, covering England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland until Sunday. The updated maps show the initial snowfall spreading into the southeast and southwest, transforming cities like London, Bristol, Southampton, Plymouth, and Swansea into winter wonderlands. Simultaneously, snow is forecast to develop in the Midlands, Wales, and Scotland, setting the stage for a widespread wintry morning.
Locations such as Shropshire, Wolverhampton, Liverpool, Glasgow, and the Scottish Highlands are all expected to experience snowfall starting as early as 6 am. The snow band is expected to be most active during the morning rush hour, gradually easing by midday and moving eastward by evening.
Snow coverage maps for January 10 indicate that a large portion, potentially over half, of the UK could see snow next week, encompassing all of Scotland, significant parts of the North East, and extensive areas of southern England and Wales. Cities like Newcastle, Leeds, Middlesbrough, Bradford, Manchester, London, Oxford, Luton, Reading, Bath, Portsmouth, Southampton, Bristol, Plymouth, Swansea, Cardiff, Newport, and Belfast may all be affected by snow showers.
Snow accumulation levels are predicted to vary across regions, with around 5cm settling in and around London, approximately 6cm expected between Bristol and Southampton, and up to 8cm in parts of Somerset. The most substantial snowfalls are anticipated in Scotland, particularly in the Highlands, where snow depths could reach up to 39cm. Aberdeen might see around 34cm of snow accumulation, with lighter snow expected in cities like Glasgow.
The Met Office suggests the possibility of further snowfall in central and eastern UK regions next week, with lighter snow probable in the south and west. The long-term forecast from January 6 to January 15 indicates a potential easing of the current cold weather pattern, but the chance of additional snow spells remains, especially in northern and central areas. Warmer interludes in the south and west may bring heavier rain and stronger winds intermittently.