Britain is bracing for a fresh Arctic blast as new high-resolution weather maps reveal a 500-mile surge of polar air driving snow, sleet and torrential rain across large swathes of the UK on Friday. The latest maps from forecaster WXCharts show a powerful low-pressure system sweeping in from the Atlantic, dragging bitterly cold air southwards and triggering widespread snowfall, especially across northern England, Scotland and parts of the Midlands.
The maps indicate snow bands stretching from Scotland down through northern England and into central Britain, with some areas facing intense snowfall rates as colder air collides with heavy Atlantic rain.
Purple and blue shading on the snow maps highlights areas most at risk, with persistent snowfall likely across Scotland, including Aberdeenshire, Dundee and Angus, Central Highlands and Southern Scotland.
Further south, snow risk spreads into northern England, where colder air becomes entrenched on Friday. Areas most at risk include Northumberland, Cumbria, Lancashire, Greater Manchester, West Yorkshire, and North Yorkshire.
Parts of the Midlands could also see disruptive snowfall as precipitation intensifies, particularly across Staffordshire, Derbyshire, the West Midlands, and Leicestershire.
Separately, the Met Office weather forecast reads: “Friday looks unsettled with brisk winds. Rather cloudy skies giving outbreaks of rain for many. Brighter and becoming less breezy for most over the weekend, albeit with scattered showers still.
“Friday will bring further rain and blustery showers to the west and southwest, with colder conditions further north and slightly milder air in the south. Brighter spells are expected between showers, while Scotland may see additional hill snow.
“Northern Ireland has a Yellow warning for rain in place from midnight until Friday evening, with any rain again falling on saturated ground. The wettest conditions are likely to be over Antrim and Down, and there’s the potential for many areas to see 10-25 mm of rainfall, with 40-60 mm over some hills. Rain will be accompanied by strong southeasterly winds.”