The UK is set to be blanketed with snow, with much of the country facing a freezing onslaught. WXCharts has forecast wintry weather to sweep across parts of Britain at the end of next week.
The weather forecaster predicted that the snow would hit central and northern Scotland (Fort William, Fort Augustus, Cairngorms, Stirling, Perth, Aberfeldy, Achnasheen) on December 19 at 6:00 am. It could also be seen over north Wales (Conwy, Anglesey) and south Wales (Swansea, Cardiff).
WXCharts has also predicted rain will sweep across England, including the southwest (Plymouth, Bournemouth), the South-east (Brighton, Canterbury, London), East Anglia (Cambridge, Ipswich, Norwich), the midlands (Oxford, Northampton, Birmingham, Nottingham), and the north (Sheffield, Hull, York, Newcastle, Carlisle, Manchester, Liverpool). There will also be rain in Wales (Swansea, Cardiff, Conwy, Anglesey), Northern Ireland (Derry), and Scotland (Edinburgh, Glasgow, Dundee, Aberdeen, Inverness).
The Met Office said of the period: “A continuation of a similar pattern to that seen through early December is anticipated, especially at first, as frontal systems from the Atlantic spread into and across the UK, interspersed with some temporary drier interludes.
“These will bring occasional spells of rain, which may be heavy at times leading to the risk of some impacts given how wet it has been lately. In addition, there may also be potential for some periods of strong winds at times too.
“Whilst it will often be mild, later in the period there may be a slight downward trend in temperature, especially across northern parts of the UK where there may also be a slightly higher chance of some wintry hazards at times.”
Today: Showers continuing across Northern Ireland and Scotland, but drier later. Sunny spells for much of northern England and northern Wales. Rather cloudy elsewhere with spells of rain. Turning very wet and windy later from the southwest.
Tonight: Heavy rain and strong to gale-force winds will spread northeast from southwest England overnight, likely causing some flooding and travel disruption. Turning increasingly mild throughout the night.
Tuesday: Wet and very windy in the north, especially for western Scotland. Elsewhere, rain clearing eastwards to sunny spells and isolated showers. A blustery and very mild day for all.
Outlook for Wednesday to Friday: Heavy rain and and strong winds into Wednesday, especially across western Scotland. A brief settled period on Thursday. Further strong winds and rain are possible on Friday. Remaining mild throughout.