Snow maps show UK buried on Valentines Day as 60 inch blizzard hits | Weather | News

A colossal storm is predicted to bring snowfall to numerous cities this weekend, commencing on Valentine’s Day.

Advanced weather forecasting maps indicate that snow will initially hit Northern Ireland and parts of northern Scotland on Saturday evening (Valentine’s Day). Heavy snowfall is also expected in Ireland around 9pm.

The GFS weather model suggests the snow will then shift eastwards, covering virtually all of England, Wales and Scotland. Maps for approximately 3am on Sunday depict snow falling from the south coast of England right up to the far north of Scotland.

Major cities such as Birmingham, Manchester, Liverpool, Newcastle, Edinburgh and Glasgow seem to be directly in the storm’s path. Where snowfall is most intense over hilly areas, data indicates it could fall at an astonishing rate of around four inches per hour.

By around 6am, the maps show that the snow will have reached London as it continues its eastward drift, also falling over East Anglia and parts of Yorkshire. The maps suggest that most of the country will experience snowfall at some point this weekend.

Snow depth charts indicate that by Sunday morning, hills in northern Scotland could be blanketed with 162cm (63 inches) of snow. Southern Scotland could see 12cm (five inches), with 8cm (three inches) expected over hills in northern England.

The Midlands and regions further south are likely to only see 1cm-2cm.

The Met Office has hinted that snow could make a return to the UK soon. In its forecast for Thursday to Saturday, the national weather service indicates conditions will become chillier on Friday “with a chance of snow showers, particularly in the north”.

Its outlook for February 15 to 24 reads: “Showers or longer spells of rain are expected as Atlantic low pressure systems dominate in the vicinity of the UK.

“Some heavy rain is likely in places, probably focussed on western hills, with some snow at times in the north, mainly on high ground. Strong winds are possible at times, especially around coasts. Temperatures will probably be near normal. Later in the period, there is a chance that drier, more settled conditions may begin to develop.”

BBC Weather also predicts more snow could arrive this week, over hills tomorrow, Thursday and on Sunday. The BBC forecast states: “Wednesday and Thursday will stay unsettled, with bands of rain or showers. Higher elevations in Scotland will have snow showers, and as colder air starts to come southwards, some snow or sleet should develop over the hills and mountains of Northern Ireland, Wales and northern England by late Thursday.

“As a front clears southwards there could even be some wintriness over the hills of the Midlands and southern England temporarily, while sleet and snow showers blow across windward coasts elsewhere.

“Most areas should become drier and clearer by Saturday, with sharp frosts in places. However, a new frontal system from the Atlantic should start to bring milder air and rain on Sunday, although preceded by sleet and snow over higher ground, mainly in the northern half of the UK.”