UK Braces for Heavy Snowfall and Plummeting Temperatures

Recent WXCharts maps reveal that a large expanse of snowy weather, stretching 547 miles, is anticipated to impact parts of the UK starting on February 21 and lasting into the following day. The maps highlight that areas from Wick to Birmingham could see winter conditions, with regions around Newcastle expected to experience the heaviest snowfall—up to 11cm—while Scotland’s Portee might witness temperatures falling as low as -5C.

In addition to the wintry forecast, recent reports note that January 2025 turned out to be one of the sunniest on record for the UK, with residents enjoying 61.8 hours of sunshine. However, forecasters have signaled that the weather is set for a rapid change, predicting widespread rain across southern parts of the country in the first half of February, followed by possible sleet or snow coming in from the east.

Met Office meteorologist Aidan McGivern explained that a shift in high pressure is expected to bring significantly colder, easterly winds, creating a period of uncertainty in mid-February’s forecast. This uncertainty stems from the potential for a very cold easterly weather system, which might deposit “disruptive” snow, or alternatively a more benign flow from the east, or even a switch to Atlantic westerlies.

Looking ahead, the long-range forecast from the Met Office between February 20 and March 6 hints at the possibility of further snow. It suggests that while high pressure may dominate initially, its gradual decline could lead to a transition towards more unsettled conditions, potentially with prolonged periods of rain or snow, though there remains low confidence in these details.