Met Office verdict on '603-mile' snow blast in UK amid 'sudden weather events'
The Met Office has given its verdict on the likelihood of a 603-mile stretch of snow and ice hitting UK regions.
It follows predictions by WX Charts, signalling a deep plummet in temperatures from Cornwall and Devon to the northernmost point of Scotland. According to WX Charts, the nation could see widespread icy conditions as we transition into the winter period.
Despite the buzz created by the charts, the Met Office suggests the snowfall might not be as extensive as some are anticipating. A spokesperson said: "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.
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"That dusting of snow over the Scottish mountains will be part of a weather front that will bring some persistent rain to parts of western Scotland tonight and tomorrow, with a widely wet day for much of Scotland on Saturday."
Maps from WXCharts show 603-mile-long stretch of blue cold temperatures across the UK. The weather forecasters also predict tomorrow will see "temperatures below average" with Britons waking up to "widespread frost in the north", the Mirror reports.
The Met Office anticipates "a gradual trend towards colder" conditions while others forecasters have noted the impact of three Sudden Stratospheric Warmings (SSW) in the coming weeks. It is thought there will be at least three Sudden Stratospheric Warmings (SSW), the first of which it is understood will happen in mid-November.
When these happen, cold air tends to move southwards and send temperatures plunging, and increase the chances of snow. A forecaster for Exacta Weather said: "At least three cold and snowy periods are on the cards regardless of any earlier SSW occurrences, maybe even more if the ones of moderate confidence also come to fruition and the SSW event does occur."
When SSWs are likely to happen, meteorologists say they have "high confidence" that "colder conditions and widespread snow events" will occur. SSWs disrupt the polar vortex, and as a result low pressure moves south from the Arctic.
In its long-range forecast, the Met Office says Brits should prepare for "a gradual trend towards colder" by mid-November, which is around the time Exacta Weather believes the first of the three SSWs will arrive, the Mirror reports.
The most severe of the three SSWs will happen in January and February, early indications suggest. Temperatures are typically colder in these months in the UK, so 2025 is set to follow a usual pattern, Exacta Weather understands.
As usual with the winter period, other conditions, such as rain, are forecast too. The Exacta Weather forecaster added: "It is also important to note that we do also have some other forecast expectations to start winter at times this year, and it would be unfair to paint a predominant theme of this cold and snow throughout the month as a whole."
The Met Office long-range forecast for October 19 to 28 states: "This period is likely to start changeable and often unsettled but relatively mild, with rain or showers for most places. There is potential for a deep area of low pressure to develop to the west or northwest of the UK early in this period, bringing a spell of very strong winds and heavy rain, especially to parts of the west and north.
"Towards the latter part of October, there are signs that whilst northwestern areas may continue to feel the influence of areas of low pressure, further south pressure is expected to build, bringing more in the way of fine, settled conditions. With this comes an increasing chance of overnight frost and fog, with the latter perhaps persisting well into the day in some areas."
The long-range forecast for October 29 to November 12 states: "High pressure is likely to steadily become more influential around the turn of the month. This means plenty of dry weather to be had, but with the chance of overnight frost and fog becoming rather more widespread than in the days preceding this period.
"Some large fluctuations between daytime and nighttime temperatures are possible, with relatively mild days, where fog doesn't linger, and cold frosty nights. Towards mid-November, the area of high pressure may track towards the northwest, allowing a gradual trend towards colder and perhaps more unsettled conditions."