UK weather: Snow to fall in just DAYS as Met Office issues warning for named storm with heavy rain & strong winds
THE Met Office has warned that snow could fall in days as the forecaster issued a warning for heavy rain and strong winds.
Brits are braced for more white stuff after wintry conditions buffeted large parts of the UK earlier this month.
The Met Office have now warned that a powerful jet stream is set to surge across the North Atlantic this week, bringing some of the strongest winds of the winter season to the UK.
The weather event will steer a deep area of low pressure toward British shores, signalling a return to unsettled and potentially disruptive conditions by Friday.
It is expected to unleash heavy rainfall and strong gales, with forecasters cautioning that the conditions could disrupt travel and outdoor activities.
Affected areas may experience localised flooding and delays, particularly in northern regions.
And potential snowfall in the north may also add to the disruption, according to the Met Office.
The forecaster said in their long range weather forecast: “The change to much more unsettled conditions will begin on Friday as a deep area of low pressure, which is yet to develop, will be steered towards the UK on a powerful Jet Stream – fuelled by the recent cold spell over North America.
“A wet and windy few days are likely, with some snow in the north for a time, and then a continuation of these periods of rain followed by showers, often accompanied by strong winds, looks likely for the rest of the month and the start of February.”
The Met Office adds: “There is the potential for weather warnings or even a named storm at some point.
“Temperatures at least should recover in most places, ending up a little above average, though admittedly not feeling like it at times.”
Following Friday’s weather escalation, the unsettled pattern is likely to persist into February.
This period will feature bouts of heavy rain, strong winds, and occasional lulls, accompanied by fluctuating temperatures that may feel milder but still brisk in the gusty conditions.
It comes as the UKHSA issued fresh yellow alerts that cover the North East, North West and East of England, Yorkshire and The Humber, as well as the East and West Midlands.
All of these warnings came into effect on Friday January 17 at 6pm and are set to end at 9am tomorrow.
UK 5 day weather forecast
Today
A band of rain across western Scotland will clear into northern England and northwest Wales throughout today.
Rather cloudy to the south of this, although perhaps a few breaks developing.
To the north a mix of bright spells and showers.
Tonight
The band of patchy rain will stall across the central swathe of the UK overnight.
Otherwise a mix of cloud and clear spells, with some fog patches developing.
Tuesday
Remaining cloudy with outbreaks of rain across central parts of the UK.
To the either side, morning fog patches lifting allowing some sunny spells to develop, especially in the north.
Wednesday to Friday
Rather cloudy with some rain and drizzle in places on Wednesday.
Turning increasingly unsettled from Thursday onwards, with some wet and windy weather arriving on Friday.
Every region in England, excluding the South West, has been issued a yellow alert.
All of the alerts, except for in Yorkshire and The Humber, have warned that forecasted weather is likely to have “minor impacts” on both health and social care services.
This includes the increased use of healthcare services by vulnerable people as well as a greater risk of life to this group.
Forecasters predict that temperatures during the day on Saturday are set to be milder.
However, frost and foggier patches are set to develop overnight on with colder conditions on Sunday morning.
The Met Office predicts that it will be around -1C in the Midlands and in Yorkshire, with the temperature only reaching 5C in southern England.
It comes two weeks after an icy blast hit the UK, with heavy snow falling across several counties and rainfall triggering floods which caused travel disruption with four airports having to close their runways.
Hundreds of schools were forced to close, and Leicestershire Police firefighters rescued 59 people from floodwater.
UK long range weather forecast
Met Office long range forecast January 24 - February 2
The change to much more unsettled conditions will begin on Friday as a deep area of low pressure, which is yet to develop, will be steered towards the UK on a powerful Jet Stream – fuelled by the recent cold spell over North America.
A wet and windy few days are likely, with some snow in the north for a time, and then a continuation of these periods of rain followed by showers, often accompanied by strong winds, looks likely for the rest of the month and the start of February.
There is the potential for weather warnings or even a named storm at some point.
Temperatures at least should recover in most places, ending up a little above average, though admittedly not feeling like it at times.