The upcoming week may bring snow and blizzard-like conditions to over a dozen major cities in the UK, as indicated by weather maps.
Recent WXCharts maps, utilizing MetDesk data, indicate that around 15 cities in Scotland, Northern Ireland, and the northern regions of England could experience snowfall between Wednesday, February 4, and Thursday, February 5.
This forecast coincides with the issuance of nine weather warnings by the Met Office for Tuesday, as the UK prepares for the arrival of Storm Chandra. This storm will mark the third significant weather event to impact the country in this month, following the disturbances caused by storms Goretti and Ingrid.
The projections suggest that London and much of southern England will likely avoid snowfall, with rain expected instead. The most substantial snowfall is anticipated in the Scottish Highlands, where certain areas may see up to 19 inches of snow. Areas in the Pennines and nearby regions could also see around seven inches of snow coverage.
In addition, portions of the UK are under alerts for rain and wind on Tuesday as Storm Chandra approaches overnight. This storm has been named Chandra according to the western Europe storm naming convention shared among the UK, Ireland, and the Netherlands.
The Chief Forecaster at the Met Office, Paul Gundersen, stated, “Storm Chandra is expected to bring various hazards to the UK starting from Monday night through Tuesday.”
“Initially, strong winds will affect the Isles of Scilly, western Cornwall, and southwest Wales, areas still recovering from Storm Goretti, with gusts potentially reaching 70 to 80mph. Additionally, heavy rain poses a risk as it falls on already saturated ground in Dorset and southern parts of Devon, Somerset, and Cornwall.”
“As Chandra interacts with colder air further north, snow becomes a concern, with accumulations of 10-20cm possible over higher ground in the Pennines, southern Scotland, and the Highlands. With the weather scenario being complex, it is crucial for individuals to stay updated on the forecasts and any warnings in their respective areas.”
In its extended forecast from Saturday, January 31, to Monday, February 9, the Met Office mentioned that Atlantic weather systems will move in from the west before stalling over the UK due to high pressure from the north and northeast.
The forecaster added, “Consequently, we can expect further spells of rain or showers along with occasional strong winds. Rainfall may be heavy and lingering, particularly in the southern and western regions.”
“While mild conditions are likely to reach the south and southwest periodically, colder air is expected to be situated to the northeast, resulting in wintry showers at times.”
“When fronts from the southwest meet the cold air in the northeast, there is a possibility of snow, primarily over hills, but potentially extending to lower areas intermittently.”