Britain Braces for 24 Hours of Snow as Winter Weather Takes a Dramatic Turn
Britain is set to experience a sharp drop in temperatures, with forecasts indicating a full 24 hours of snow by the end of the month. While the UK is currently seeing milder-than-usual weather for October, accompanied by frequent showers in parts of the country, colder conditions are on the horizon as winter approaches.
According to weather maps from WXCharts, snow is predicted to begin in western Scotland on October 30 and is expected to last for a full 24 hours, continuing into the night. The charts also show temperatures across the UK dropping into the mid to low single figures after this week, according to the Mirror.
The Met Office has also warned of frosty nights ahead. In its long-range forecast for the period between October 30 and November 13, the agency stated: “High pressure may become more influential into early November, potentially providing longer spells of dry weather, but with the chance of overnight frost and fog becoming rather more widespread than in the days preceding this period.” The forecast highlights the possibility of “large fluctuations between daytime and night-time temperatures,” with milder days and cold, frosty nights. As mid-November approaches, colder and more unsettled weather is expected, particularly in southern and eastern areas.
There may even be snow later this week, according to the Met Office, although it will primarily affect higher ground. A spokesperson noted: “There’s a chance of a dusting of snow over the tops of the Scottish mountains over the next few days, though this is entirely typical of the time of year.” This snow will coincide with a weather front bringing persistent rain to parts of western Scotland, with a wet day forecast for much of the region on Saturday.
Despite the incoming cold, the UK is also set to experience some unseasonably warm weather, particularly in southern England, where temperatures could rise into the low 20s Celsius. “Southerly winds across western Europe will transport a warm and humid airmass from the western Mediterranean and northwest Africa across the UK over the next couple of days,” the Met Office explained. However, this warm air is expected to clear by Thursday as Atlantic frontal systems bring more wet and windy conditions.
Met Office Chief Meteorologist Matthew Lehnert added: “Warm air arriving from the south will allow temperatures to rise above average despite it often being cloudy. On Wednesday, parts of southeast England could see 20 or 21C, with the mid to high teens expected across many parts of the UK. However, this warm and humid airmass will bring with it a risk of heavy rain and isolated thunderstorms.”
Yellow weather warnings for rain have been issued for southeast Northern Ireland, Wales, and western parts of England, with some areas expected to receive as much as 50-80 mm of rain within six hours.