A significant Arctic weather system is set to bring snow to several major UK cities in the next few days. Weather forecasts indicate that snowfall will begin in northern areas around 6 pm on December 18 and a weather front will move across the country, bringing heavy rain to England and Wales, as well as snow to Northern Ireland.
By 3 am on December 19, snow is expected over the Pennines in northern England, the Highlands, and parts of southern Scotland. More snowfall is anticipated later in the day, with intense flurries in parts of Northern Ireland and southern Scotland. Meanwhile, heavy rain is expected in other parts of England and Wales.
Scotland is likely to experience concentrated snowfall, with major cities such as Glasgow, Edinburgh, and Dundee expected to be affected by snow by 3 pm. Snow coverage maps for 6 pm on December 19 show snow settling in most of Northern Ireland, including Belfast, as well as in Scotland and parts of northern England. Although snow accumulations in Northern Ireland and England are not expected to be significant, the Scottish Highlands could see up to 9cm of snow.
The Met Office has issued warnings of potential wintry hazards in the upcoming days. The forecast for December 14 to 23 suggests a continuation of the pattern seen in early December, with frontal systems bringing rain and occasional strong winds. While temperatures may be mild initially, a slight temperature decrease is anticipated, especially in northern regions, with a higher chance of wintry conditions.
BBC Weather’s forecast for December 15 to 21 indicates continued unsettled weather, with low pressure systems dominating the North Atlantic and Europe. Mild temperatures are expected, with wet and windy conditions, especially in the north and west. Occasional colder periods are possible, with snow mainly confined to higher elevations in northern regions.
