UK braces for 800-mile-wide snow bomb as new weather maps forecast heavy snowfall
New maps have revealed the moment an 800-mile 'snow bomb' is poised to detonate across the British Isles. According to Metdesk graphics from WXCharts, Thursday, November 21, just over a week away, is anticipated to be a particularly snowy day.
By 6 p.m., most of the UK is expected to be enveloped in snow due to the arrival of a massive icy weather front extending from Scotland's peaks to the northern extremities of Europe. Aberdeen is set to bear the brunt of the snowstorm, with forecasts predicting up to 50cm of snow.
A significant part of Wales is also predicted to experience heavy snowfall, with estimates of around 20cm, while certain areas in the north of England could see about 10cm. The remainder of the country is likely to receive less snow.
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Jim Dale, chief meteorologist at British Weather Services, has described the impending weather as a period of "very deep snow time" that might persist for an entire week. He commented: "The board is set the pieces are moving! This one is looking like a full week in the freezer before it relents."
"The weather models will ebb & flow, but the latest is spelling a very deep snow time (several inches) for the Midlands & Pennine towns & villages. Scottish hills & mountains go without saying. Traffic dislocation & dangers appear inevitable. But it all means nothing for how Christmas may turn out."
Following the Met Office's predictions on whether parts of the UK could anticipate heavy snowfall in the upcoming weeks, it appears colder weather is heading southwards due to Arctic winds causing a drop in temperatures. On Tuesday, Braemar, Aberdeenshire already experienced -2.6C.
Speculation arose that the falling temperatures might result in snowfall - potentially up to 18 inches in some areas - across the UK, including Scotland. WX Charts' meteorologists, who provided striking weather maps to demonstrate the forecast, still predict such wintry conditions around Saturday, November 23, reports The Mirror.
Moreover, the Met Office suggests there's a "possibility of snow" as soon as this Sunday. It predicts high pressure will gradually decrease this week, allowing winds to start coming from the north or northwest.
Mark Sidaway, Met Office Deputy Chief Meteorologist, stated: "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. In addition to this 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.
"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."