2 weeks Ago By Richard Ashmore
New weather maps show Britain will have to be braced for snow hitting the nation in a 48-hour blizzard-like blast over the weekend with 6cm of the white stuff falling per hour. The chilly December deluge of cold conditions starts tomorrow (Friday) and looks set to last right into Friday with temperatures reaching just 5C or 6C even by midday. Maps from WXCharts show on Sunday stretching all the way down from the far north of Scotland to just south of Manchester and into North Wales.
New data predicts snow will be also be felt in Northern Ireland, with a smattering of flakes falling towards Omagh and Londonderry. Additional maps from Netweather also show large parts of the UK are at risk of snowfall on Saturday. The cold front comes as the Met Office also issued yellow warnings for wind and rain for all of England, Wales and Northern Ireland from 3pm on Friday until 6am on Sunday.
The advisory states: "A deep low may cross England and Wales from Friday afternoon, clearing to the east Saturday night. "The low may bring a period of strong winds to much of the warning area, with some heavy rain likely to the north and west of the low centre, and some hill snow in the north (above 650 feet). "Around 15-25mm of rain may fall quite widely, more particularly across central, northern and western parts of England and Wales, with exposed higher ground in the north and west (particularly parts of Wales, which are at greatest risk of seeing flooding impacts) perhaps locally seeing closer to 50-70mm.
"Winds may quite widely gust to around 40-50mph inland but locally could gust in excess of 60mph, whilst around coasts, winds may gust to 60-70mph, perhaps locally nearer 80mph. The wind and rain may cause disruption to travel, with difficult driving conditions likely." With the countdown begining to December 25, the Met Office have also revealed their latest forecast for the Christmas week - and there could be some more snow for parts of the UK.
Meteorologists have forecast a mixed bag of weather for the country, with some "wintry showers" on higher grounds. But it states that as the month goes on, there are "signals that higher pressure may become re-established, with more settled conditions". It said: "Mainly unsettled conditions appear likely for most, bringing a greater prevalence of rain and showers to most areas but especially towards the northwest.
"Some of the showers could be wintry, especially on high ground in the north. However, there are also some signs that more settled conditions are possible at times, these perhaps most likely across the south late in the month. "Temperatures are likely to be around average overall, with colder interludes bringing a risk of frost and fog.
" Met Office five-day forecast Today: Turning wet and windy from the west and northwest from late morning into the afternoon. Mild.Rain clearing from southeast England and gales easing across northern Scotland, to leave plenty of dry and bright, though breezy weather for a time.
Tonight: Some showers in the north and northwest. Gales affecting central parts. A patchy frost.
Rain clearing away to the east and southeast this evening, leaving clear periods for many overnight. Friday: Mostly dry with plenty of sunshine, and winds easing for a time. A few showers continuing in the northwest.
Wet and increasingly windy weather arriving from the west later. Outlook for Saturday to Monday: Wet and very windy for many on Saturday, with severe gales possible in places. Some snow in the north.
Gradually becoming more settled during Sunday and Monday, with winds easing..
