Snow forecast maps show 90% of UK buried as 4 day blizzard hits – 52cm of snow | Weather | News

Sophisticated weather forecasting models indicate three storms could deliver up to 20 inches of snow across the UK.

The GFS weather model reveals that nearly the entirety of England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland could experience snowfall, with the first flurries anticipated to begin on February 11.

At 3pm, the projections show snow descending upon Wales, northern England and Scotland. Major cities such as Manchester and Glasgow are expected to witness the initial snowfall.

The wintry conditions then appear set to spread nationwide.

Significant snowfall could blanket southern regions of England at approximately 6am on February 12, the models indicate, with London and Bristol particularly vulnerable. Scotland may also experience further snow during this period.

A second weather system is then forecast to strike the UK on February 13, with Northern Ireland and Wales bearing the brunt of the heaviest snow initially at around 3am. Major urban centres, including London, Birmingham, Manchester, Liverpool, Cardiff and Glasgow, could all witness snow around this time.

The snow is expected to progress eastwards across the nation on February 13, with projections showing the most severe flurries affecting the Midlands and south-east at approximately 9am. Once more, the capital looks likely to face wintry precipitation.

A third blizzard could subsequently arrive on February 14, sweeping across the UK and once again affecting major cities including London at around 3pm. By the conclusion of this four-day period, virtually the entire country could witness some snowfall.

Snow coverage maps indicate that by 9pm on February 14, only south-west England and certain areas of Wales will remain free of settled snow. Snow depth charts suggest the Scottish Highlands could see accumulations reaching 52cm (20 inches).

North-west England may experience 21cm (eight inches), whilst central England could witness 13cm (five inches). Northern Ireland is expected to receive 3cm (one inch), and parts of Wales might see 10cm (four inches).

The Met Office has also indicated snow is on the horizon. Its forecast for February 5 to 14 states: “Frontal systems over the Atlantic, steered by a south-shifted jet stream, are likely to approach the UK at times, but tending to stall as they encounter a blocking area of high pressure to the north and northeast.

“This will result in further spells of rain at times, falling in areas already sensitive to flooding. As these bands of rain spread northwards, some snow will be possible on high ground in northern England and Scotland as they encounter colder air.

“A subtle shift southwards of these areas of low pressure is anticipated during the second week of February, which may allow a greater chance of colder air to spread across northern UK at least, bringing an increased risk of wintry hazards for a time.”

For the remainder of February, it adds: “Whilst confidence is lower through this period, a south-shifted jet stream is likely to persist much of the time, steering areas of low pressure towards and south of the UK.

“This is likely to bring further spells of wet and windy weather, rain most frequent in the south and west, and perhaps also eastern Scotland, with the driest conditions, relative to normal, in northwest Scotland.

“Some hill snow will be possible at times as the wet weather encounters colder air across northern parts of the UK. Temperatures for the period as a whole will likely be close to average in the southwest, but a little below in the northeast.”