Snow to hit England sooner than expected as Met Office raise possibility of 'winter hazard warning'

Snow is set to hit parts of England in days, the Met Office has warned. A northerly airflow will develop over the weekend, bringing colder Arctic air to some northern areas.

This means that snow could hit parts of the country, particularly northern areas. Higher ground will be more likely to see snow.

It comes following a separate forecast from another organisation which suggested that up to 18 inches of snow is expected on or around Saturday November 23. However Met Office experts say it is not possible to forecast exact volume or locations at such a long range.

READ MORE: ITV Coronation Street star dies aged 90 leaving famous wife behind

READ MORE: Homebase 'collapses into administration' as 130 shops face closure

Met Office Deputy Chief Meteorologist Mark Sidaway said: "In addition to increased rainfall, which could be heavy at times on Sunday, temperatures will also drop, especially for those in Scotland, as a northerly airflow develops, bringing colder Arctic air to some northern areas.

Get breaking news on BirminghamLive WhatsApp

"This shift does introduce the possibility of snow, initially over high ground in the north from Sunday, with gusty winds also a potential hazard. There is a lot of uncertainty by Sunday, but there remain a number of scenarios which could bring some more widespread rain, along with some hill snow and stronger winds. Warnings for winter hazards are possible later in the weekend, so it’s important to stay up to date with the latest forecast."

High pressure will gradually subside in the next few days and allow winds to start to come in from the north or northwest, The Mirror reports. This could end the spell of dry weather, Mr Sidaway added.

He continued: "The high pressure that has been responsible for the mainly dry weather through much of this week will retrogress into the Atlantic as we get towards the weekend. This will gradually introduce more unsettled weather, initially in the north from Friday but more widely from Sunday."

The heaviest of the rain on Sunday is expected across the Midlands especially in Derbyshire and Staffordshire. Areas further north will be more prone to snowfall.

It will be cold enough for snow into next week with lows of -1C expected in North Yorkshire and West Yorkshire. It follows a bitterly cold start to this week with lows of -2.6C in Braemar, Aberdeenshire and -2.5C in Shap, Cumbria.