Met Office issues weather warnings as maps show where it will snow next

Temperatures are about 6C lower than normal for this time of year and will plummet below freezing overnight.

Ross McGuinness
Updated ·6-min read
A woman walks through the snow in the Walled garden at Camp Hill in Woolton, Liverpool. Much of Britain is facing another day of cold temperatures and travel disruption after overnight lows dropped below freezing for the bulk of the country. A
A woman walks through the snow in the Walled garden at Camp Hill in Woolton, Liverpool, on Tuesday. (PA)

The current cold spell in the UK has brought another night of freezing cold temperatures – and the “cold plunge of Arctic air” is set to bring snow to some parts of the country.

Near record-low temperatures were experienced overnight, with the mercury falling to as low as -13C in Glen Ogle, central Scotland, while -11C was recorded at Tulloch Bridge in the Scottish Highlands, according to the Met Office. Forecasters had predicted some snow covered parts of Scotland could reach -15C overnight, which would have been the coldest January night for 14 years.

Snow (depicted here in the dark blue weather pattern) is set to hit northern areas and possibly some southern counties again later this week. (Met Office)
Snow (depicted here in the dark blue weather pattern) is set to hit northern areas and possibly some southern counties again later this week. (Met Office)
Temperatures remain cold across the country throughout Wednesday. (Met Office)
Temperatures remain cold across the country throughout Wednesday. (Met Office)

Maps from the Met Office show more snow and freezing temperatures are on the way for northern areas, caused by Arctic air that has moved south across the whole country over the past few days – making it 5C to 6C lower than usual for this time of year. The forecaster warned that “potentially disruptive” stormy weather at the weekend will follow the current cold snap.

The Met Office has also issued an amber weather warning for snow in parts of Scotland, as well as a yellow warning for snow and ice across northern England, west Wales and parts of south west England for Wednesday. The yellow warning, covering the whole of Scotland and northern England, states that snow and ice may 'lead to some difficult travel conditions', with the warning extending into Thursday for the eastern coast of England, west Wales and the southwest coast.

Met Office amber and yellow weather warnings in place across UK for Wednesday and Thursday. (Met Office)
Met Office amber and yellow weather warnings in place across UK for Wednesday and Thursday. (Met Office)

Watch: Snow and ice hit parts of UK as cold snap continues

Yellow weather warnings for snow and ice are in place across Scotland, much of northern England and parts of North Wales until Thursday, then more mild temperatures are forecast along with wind and rain. More than 40cm of snow could be seen on high ground in north-west Scotland by the end of Friday as it continues to build up over the coming days, the Met Office said.

Wednesday lunchtime may see some snow showers hitting the far south counties of the UK. (Met Office)
Wednesday lunchtime may see some snow showers hitting the far south counties of the UK. (Met Office)
Snow falls on the Beatles Statue at Pier Head, Liverpool. Much of Britain is facing another day of cold temperatures and travel disruption after overnight lows dropped below freezing for the bulk of the country. A
Snow falls on the Beatles Statue at Pier Head, Liverpool. (PA)

The Met Office said that a few snow flurries could hit the far south of the UK on Wednesday, with a “small chance” of snow in the southern counties. The weekend will be milder, but westerly weather will bring wind and rain – and the potential for more weather warnings as the snow melts.

Yahoo breaks down what the weather will be like for each region of the UK according to the Met Office.

Scotland

  • Wednesday

Most of Wednesday will stay very cold and dry with sunny periods. Cloud will thicken bringing the chance of a snow shower north later. Maximum temperature 0C.

Snow flurries are set to hit the north and far south of the UK on Wednesday. (Met Office)
Snow flurries are set to hit the north and far south of the UK on Wednesday. (Met Office)

  • Thursday to Saturday

Very cold, windy, snow showers north Thursday. Drier, less cold in west wind Friday. Then southwest wind Friday night as rain preceded by snow passes east leaving rain west Saturday.

Northern Ireland

  • Wednesday

Bright and cold with sunny spells and scattered snow showers. Frost persisting throughout the day. Maximum temperature 2C.

  • Thursday to Saturday

Very cold, windy, snow showers Thursday. Drier, less cold Friday. Then southwest wind Friday evening as rain preceded by snow passes east leaving Saturday mainly dry and less cold. Heavy and persistent rain at times.

Midlands

  • Wednesday

Frosty with icy surfaces at first, then a crisp winter's day with plenty of sunshine. Staying generally dry but a few light snow flurries couldn't be entirely ruled out. Cold. Maximum temperature 2C.

  • Thursday to Saturday

Largely sunny and cold on Thursday with isolated snow flurries, these perhaps more widespread overnight. Sunny spells and less cold on Friday. Turning wetter, windier and milder on Saturday.

North East

  • Wednesday

A very cold start with widespread frost and ice. A good deal of winter sunshine. Often breezy, especially along coasts. Maximum temperature 0C.

Stormier conditions are set to sweep across the UK on Saturday. (Met Office)
Stormier conditions are set to sweep across the UK on Saturday. (Met Office)

  • Thursday to Saturday

Cold or very cold conditions with widespread sharp frost overnight, but plenty of winter sunshine by day. Snow showers possible on Thursday. Becoming mild, wet and windy by Saturday.

North West

  • Wednesday

Frosty with icy surfaces at first, then a crisp winter's day with plenty of sunshine. Staying generally dry but a rogue light snow flurry couldn't be entirely ruled out. Cold. Maximum temperature 2C.

People take advantage of the snowy weather with inflatables to use as sledges at Camp Hill in Woolton, Liverpool. Much of Britain is facing another day of cold temperatures and travel disruption after overnight lows dropped below freezing for the bulk of the country. A
People with inflatables to use as sledges at Camp Hill in Woolton, Liverpool. (PA)

  • Thursday to Saturday

Largely sunny and cold on Thursday with scattered snow flurries, these perhaps heavy and frequent later. Sunny spells and less cold on Friday, then wet, windy and milder on Saturday.

London and the South East

  • Wednesday

A cloudy but cold start with a low risk of snow grazing the Kent coast in the morning. Becoming dry and bright through the afternoon. Maximum temperature 3C.

Thursday morning will see more potential snow showers in northern areas. (Met Office)
Thursday morning will see more potential snow showers in northern areas. (Met Office)

  • Thursday to Saturday

Cold or very cold conditions with widespread sharp frost overnight, but plenty of winter sunshine by day. Becoming mild, wet and windy by Saturday. Temperatures returning to average.

South West

  • Wednesday

Rather cloudy for many through the morning with occasional snow flurries, mainly near English Channel coasts. Skies brightening up later. Turning breezier and feeling cold with a frost at first. Maximum temperature 4C.

People take advantage of the snowy weather with sledges at Camp Hill in Woolton, Liverpool. Much of Britain is facing another day of cold temperatures and travel disruption after overnight lows dropped below freezing for the bulk of the country. A
People sledging at Camp Hill in Woolton, Liverpool, on Tuesday. (PA)

  • Thursday to Saturday

Staying cold on Thursday and Friday with sunny spells and a few wintry showers in the west at times. Widespread severe frosts overnight. Turning wetter, windier and milder on Saturday.

Wales

  • Wednesday

Frosty with icy surfaces in the morning, then a crisp winter's day with sunny periods. Largely dry but wintry showers are likely in western coastal regions with isolated ones elsewhere. Cold. Maximum temperature 4C.

  • Thursday to Saturday

Largely sunny and cold on Thursday with a few snow flurries, these perhaps more widespread later. Sunny spells and less cold on Friday, then wet, windy and milder on Saturday.

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