Key Takeaways
- Scotland is expected to be hit by heavy snowfall on January 8, with up to one inch per hour falling across a 713-mile strip spanning major UK cities.
- The snowfall is expected to affect millions of people living in a wide area, including major cities like London, Oxford, Reading, Birmingham, Manchester, and Glasgow.
- The Met Office forecast suggests colder and drier conditions, but does not mention the heavy snowfall predicted by other weather maps.
- The snowfall is expected to be part of a larger cold snap affecting the UK and much of Europe, with mountainous regions receiving up to 200cm of snow.
- The weather maps from Ventusky and WXCharts show a potentially harsh mix of snow and ice for Scots, with minimum temperatures hitting 0C and maximums reaching just 5C.
Introduction to the Weather Forecast
The UK is bracing itself for a severe cold snap, with heavy snow and ice expected to hit multiple regions as the New Year begins. According to the latest weather maps, a colossal, nationwide snow bomb is set to unleash flurries of up to an inch per hour in various cities across Scotland. The previously mild weather of December has come to an end, giving way to biting cold in certain parts of the country that have left several regions in the grip of a severe freeze.
The Expected Snowfall
The new weather maps have revealed a potentially harsh mix of snow and ice for Scots, with millions living in a 713-mile stretch across the entire UK expected to greet the first significant snowfall of 2026 early on. The snowfall is expected to commence in the early afternoon around 1.30pm, and deposit between 1cm and 5cm across the wide several-hundred-mile area. The snow extends from Eastbourne on England’s south coast to Mellon Udrigle on the Scottish northeast coast, with the most substantial snow impacting areas on the western end of the stretch.
Affected Areas
The areas expected to be affected by the heavy snowfall include major cities like London, Oxford, Reading, Birmingham, Manchester, and Glasgow, as well as the entirety of the Lake District National Park. Residents in communities surrounding those regions look set to experience approximately 2.5cm to 3cm of snowfall every hour, amounting to roughly an inch throughout the afternoon. The snowfall is expected to be part of a larger cold snap affecting the UK and much of Europe, with mountainous regions receiving up to 200cm of snow.
Temperature Forecast
The temperature forecast for the affected areas is expected to be quite cold, with minimum temperatures hitting 0C in the snowfall zone and maximums reaching just 5C. The charts from WXCharts indicate a harsh chill moving in, with the cold air close to the UK bringing a possibility of wintry hazards in places. The Met Office forecast suggests colder and drier conditions, but does not mention the heavy snowfall predicted by other weather maps.
European Weather Forecast
The Ventusky charts reveal the UK will be affected by broadly widespread snowfall across Europe, with the remainder of the continent blanketed in heavy snowfall at the same time. The majority of other European countries will witness a comparable amount of snow, with mountainous regions receiving up to 200cm – an enormous six feet. The weather maps from Ventusky and WXCharts show a potentially harsh mix of snow and ice for Scots, with the snowfall expected to be part of a larger cold snap affecting the UK and much of Europe.
Met Office Forecast
The Met Office, Britain’s official forecaster, makes no mention of approaching wintry conditions beyond "colder and drier" weather. The outlook, which spans December 31 to January 9, explains: "High pressure is likely to be centred to the west or northwest over the North Atlantic through this period with low pressure to the east." However, around the turn of the year, an area of low pressure may move through the North Sea bringing a period of wetter and windier weather, especially to the north. With cold air close to the UK, some wintry hazards are possible in places.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the UK is expected to experience a severe cold snap, with heavy snow and ice expected to hit multiple regions as the New Year begins. The snowfall is expected to affect millions of people living in a wide area, including major cities like London, Oxford, Reading, Birmingham, Manchester, and Glasgow. The Met Office forecast suggests colder and drier conditions, but does not mention the heavy snowfall predicted by other weather maps. The weather maps from Ventusky and WXCharts show a potentially harsh mix of snow and ice for Scots, with minimum temperatures hitting 0C and maximums reaching just 5C. It is essential to stay up to date with the latest weather forecasts to prepare for the expected snowfall and cold temperatures.