by Parts of the UK could see heavy snow next week as arctic air travel spreads across the UK prompting yellow weather warnings for snow and ice for Scotland on Sunday and Monday.
Deputy chief meteorologist David Hayter said a northerly airflow will bring arctic air to the UK from Sunday, with snow showers focused on Northern Ireland and northern areas of Scotland. He said there is a “continuing likelihood” of some disturbing snow.
Hayter said the snow would first hit coastal areas in the north before moving to the south-west as the cool air hits the milder air, adding: “It’s where these air masses come from together there is a likelihood of substantial snow in some places.At the moment, models are showing us different options as to exactly when and how this situation plays out and it is something that we will be will add more details in the coming days.”
A cold weather alert is in place from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), which also warned it could be raised to an amber alert for some regions on Sunday. An amber alert means the impact of the weather is likely to be felt across the entire health service.
The Met Office has issued yellow weather warnings for snow and ice for Scotland, saying snow showers are likely to affect travel and icy surfaces. It said people should expect disruption on some roads and rail with longer journey times on road, bus and train services, as well as some icy patches on some untreated roads, footpaths and cycleways and the possibility of injuries from slipping and fall on ice. surfaces.
BBC Wales senior meteorologist Derek Brockway told X: “There is a risk of heavy rain and heavy snow next Wednesday as low pressure moves in from the Atlantic.” However, he added: “It’s difficult to predict snow in the UK and don’t trust a snow forecast more than three days ahead.”
RAC Breakdown said travel plans could be disrupted, and motorists are advised to be prepared for a breakdown in the cold weather.
It comes after the UK’s Health Security Agency issued a cold weather alert covering the East and West Midlands, North West England, the South East and South West, running from Tuesday to Friday.
Cold weather can increase the risks of heart attacks, strokes and chest infections and can have a serious impact on the health of older people and people with pre-existing health conditions. A yellow cold health alert is also in place for North East England, Yorkshire and The Humber, East England, and London.
Dr Agostinho Sousa, from the UKHSA, said: “The temperatures we will see heading into the weekend can quickly have a serious impact on the health of the over 65s and those with underlying health conditions already because it increases the risk of it happening. heart attacks, strokes and chest infections.”
The UKHSA said on its site: “This alert may be raised to AMBER for some regions on Sunday 14 January 2023. Please note that the Met Office may issue National Severe Weather Warnings (eg snow and ice ) issued without short notice that you need to do. be informed, so you can take the appropriate action to prepare for it.”
The Met Office has released forecasts of where it thinks snow could fall in the coming days.
Sunday 6pm
Monday 6pm
Tuesday 6am
Wednesday 3am
Below, Yahoo breaks down what the weather will be like for each region of the UK.
Scotland
Heavy rain is forecast in the north west of the country on Friday evening with hail developing in some areas as it moves south on Friday night. Temperatures to stay above freezing.
Temperatures to start dipping below freezing and could hit as low as -3C in some areas. Heavy snow and almost constant rain is forecast for much of the highlands during the week but clearer skies are expected over Glasgow and Edinburgh. A yellow weather warning for snow and ice is in place for Sunday and Monday.
London and the South East
Dry and cloudy but cold weather across most of the region with temperatures hovering around freezing.
Temperatures will dip into the negatives as the week begins with rain lashing the capital on Sunday evening. Hail and snow are forecast offshore but are not expected to hit the region until later in the week.
Southwest
Temperatures around 3-5C during the day dipping to freezing after dark with clouds expected during the day and a few smaller showers.
Heavy rain is forecast to move in from the east on Sunday as it develops in north Cornwall this afternoon. Hail and rain will spread across the region on Monday and Tuesday and temperatures will remain between 0-5C.
Midland
Temperatures around 2-5C and dry and cloudy until showers sweep across the region on Saturday afternoon.
Temperatures getting colder and going as low as -2C with clouds covering the sky for most of the start of the week. Showers are forecast across the region until Monday afternoon when a blanket of heavy snow is expected to land just north of Birmingham.
Northeast
Mostly dry and cloudy for much of the weekend with light showers forecast in some regions and hail forecast north of Newcastle on Saturday morning. Temperatures are expected to rise between 2-5C.
Temperatures getting much colder going as low as -3C with clearer skies than forecast for much of the rest of the UK. Much of the snow will hit just south of the region with a chance of spreading north later on Tuesday.
Northwest
Clouds with showers across much of the region on Friday before more widespread rain settles in on Saturday afternoon. Temperatures staying above freezing with a chance of hitting 7C around Liverpool.
Rain with a chance of snow near Kendal on Sunday morning but much of the rest of the region spared snow until Monday evening. Heavy snow, rain and hail is expected across the region from 6pm on Monday lasting through the night into the early hours of Tuesday. The heaviest snowfall is expected in the country south of Preston on Tuesday morning. Temperatures to stay around freezing.
Northern Ireland
Rain is forecast across the south of the country on Friday and Saturday with clearer skies expected in Belfast. Temperatures to stay around 5C.
Temperatures to approach freezing as the week begins with some subzero temperatures predicted in the evening. Rain and hail were forecast across much of the country during the day on Sunday and Monday, growing to snow as Monday progresses. By the end of Monday, heavy snow is forecast across most of the country.
Wales
Light showers across much of the country on Friday and Saturday with more widespread rain settling in across the north on Saturday evening. Temperatures to stay around 5C in the north and cooler temperatures closer to freezing in the south.
Temperatures are expected to reach freezing across the whole of Wales at the start of the week with occasional showers turning to hail as time goes on.
Snow was forecast around Snowdonia, Cardigan and Wrexham on Monday evening with large blankets of hail hitting the north of the country on Tuesday morning.
