Met Office snow map shows where it will fall in 'first taste of winter'

Parts of the UK will see almost two inches of snow over the next six days - see the snow forecast in your area using our new interactive map.

Cold temperatures, ice and further snow feature on the forecast for the coming days in what the Met Office deemed is the country’s “first taste of winter”. It is predicted temperatures could drop to minus 2C in London on Friday.

The first of the wintery weather is set to arrive on Monday evening (November 18) and will continue throughout the week. The snow is set to peak on Saturday November 23 with heavy snowfall across much of the country.

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The forecasts have come from Open Weather who use a number of data sources from global meteorological agencies such as the Met Office. This map runs off of Open Weather’s api. This means that it will be automatically updated as time goes on. You can see when snow will reach your area and how bad it will be by using our interactive map below.

Met Office spokesperson Nicola Maxey said snow has mostly fallen on hilltops so far on Monday – with 2cm falling in Lerwick, Shetland. But more snow and ice is expected over the coming days, with temperatures plunging to below average levels for the time of year.

“It is going to be quite a widely cold week,” Ms Maxey said. “A few degrees below average both day and night for most of the country.”

Dan Suri is a Chief Meteorologist at the Met Office and said: “An area of low pressure slides its way eastwards on Monday night. The associated frontal system, marking the boundary between cold air in the north and milder conditions to the south, will bring disruptive snow to some areas between Monday evening and Tuesday morning.

“This is likely to coincide with rush hour, leading to disruption to some transport routes across a central swathe of the UK on Tuesday morning. It will also be windy in the far south."

There is a possibility of 15-20cm (around 6-7.8in) of snow on ground above 300m (984ft), 5-10cm (around 2-4in) in areas higher than 200m (656ft), with a “chance” that snow could hit lower levels and cause road disruption – although the likelihood of that remains “uncertain”.

“There’s likely to be a widespread frost overnight as we get this colder air coming in from the arctic maritime air mass – cold air from the north pushing down across the country – which will be across the whole country by the middle of the week,” Ms Maxey said.

The heaviest period of snow forecast this week is in Stowe in Buckinghamshire. A total of 0.6 inches of snow is forecast there at 6am on Saturday November 23.

Within affected areas, there is a chance of power cuts, disruption to road and public transport and the risk of injury from slipping on ice.

Forecast for London and the South East

Today (18 November)

A cloudy and damp start, becoming drier but colder through the course of the morning, with the north brightest. Probably cloudier generally with further rain from the west into the evening. Becoming windy, especially in otherwise milder southern coastal districts. Maximum temperature 11 °C. Tonight, wet and windy. Becoming markedly colder as these conditions edge eastwards, with frost in places and perhaps a parting shot of strong winds and wintry flurries on hills. Minimum temperature 1 °C.

Tuesday:

Windy with wintry flurries at first, but gradually brightening from the north during the morning. Sunshine developing widely into the afternoon, but feeling much colder than of late generally. Maximum temperature 6 °C.

Outlook for Wednesday to Friday:

Bright with brisk winds and some wintry showers in this period, perhaps interrupted by a more extensive and prolonged wintry spell Thursday, although this aspect low confidence. Sharp overnight frosts.

The weekend

Cold or very cold conditions are expected across most if not all parts of the UK early in this period, with wintry showers affecting in particular northern parts and exposed coastal districts, although it may well be largely sunny. Into the weekend likely turning to more wet and windy conditions with some snowfall on the leading edge of this. Into the following week possibly cooler again though wintry conditions mostly limited to northern hills with a potential for more organised areas of rain, snow and strong winds at times, this probably also associated with milder temperatures, at least in the south.