Key Takeaways
- Blizzards are expected to sweep across Britain in early January, with snow maps indicating that one UK region could be heavily affected
- Scotland is likely to be the worst-affected region, with some areas potentially seeing up to 10.2 inches (26cm) of snow
- The Midlands and southern England may also be affected by blizzards, with snow falling as far south as Devon and Cornwall
- The Met Office is cautious with forecasting blizzards, citing the complexity of predicting snow in the UK due to rapidly-changing conditions
- Forecasters consider factors such as precipitation intensity and temperature when predicting snow, but these factors can be uncertain and affect the accuracy of forecasts
Introduction to the Forecast
Blizzards are expected to sweep across Britain in just a few days, with snow maps indicating that one UK region could be buried under a significant amount of snow. According to new maps from WXCharts, generated on December 24 using Met Desk data, most of Britain will be hit by snow on January 8. The maps suggest that much of Northern Ireland, Wales, Scotland, and northern England will see snow on the day, with the Midlands and southern England also being affected by blizzards. The snow is expected to fall as far south as Devon and Cornwall, with Greater London also possibly being hit.
Regional Snowfall Predictions
The maps from WXCharts provide a detailed breakdown of the expected snowfall in different regions of the UK. Scotland is likely to be the worst-affected region, with some areas potentially seeing up to 10.2 inches (26cm) of snow. Specifically, Ross and Cromarty, as well as Inverness-shire, could see significant snowfall, with one map suggesting that these areas could receive as much as 10.2 inches (26cm) of snow on January 8. Sutherland could see as much as 8.2 inches (21cm) of snow falling, while areas in Aberdeenshire could be hit by as much as 5.5 inches (14cm) of snow on the day. Elsewhere, the area surrounding Norwich could see as much as 3.9 inches (10cm) of snow falling, according to the map.
Met Office Forecast
While the maps from WXCharts suggest that snow may sweep across the country, the Met Office is more cautious with forecasting blizzards. The Met Office long-range forecast, which looks at the days between January 8 and 22, reads: "Whilst confidence is low, high pressure will probably sit close to the UK initially, with periods of relatively settled weather interspersed with more changeable conditions. Temperatures will likely be near or slightly below average during this time." The forecast also notes that later in the period, a transition to more widely changeable or unsettled conditions is possible, with a corresponding shift to near or slightly above average temperatures.
Challenges of Forecasting Snow
The Met Office has previously explained that forecasting snow in the UK is particularly complex due to rapidly-changing conditions. Small variations in temperature or wind direction can mean the difference between rain, sleet, or snow, making it challenging for meteorologists to predict precipitation type. The Met Office uses high-resolution models to predict precipitation type, but these models can struggle with marginal situations where temperatures hover around freezing. Additionally, forecasters must consider factors such as precipitation intensity, as heavy bursts of precipitation can cool the air near the surface, increasing the chance of snow. Conversely, lighter precipitation may melt before reaching the ground, making snow forecasting one of the most uncertain aspects of UK weather prediction.
Conclusion
In conclusion, blizzards are expected to sweep across Britain in early January, with Scotland likely to be the worst-affected region. The Met Office is cautious with forecasting blizzards, citing the complexity of predicting snow in the UK due to rapidly-changing conditions. While the maps from WXCharts provide a detailed breakdown of the expected snowfall in different regions, the Met Office’s long-range forecast suggests that there is still some uncertainty surrounding the weather conditions. As the forecast continues to evolve, it is essential to stay up-to-date with the latest weather predictions to ensure that you are prepared for any potential disruptions caused by the snow.