A monster 500-mile blizzard is set to hit the UK later this month, according to the latest snow depth models. As the mercury plunges, a Met Office warning has been issued
Advanced weather forecasting maps indicate a massive blizzard could be on its way to the UK later this month, potentially dumping up to 19 inches of snow in certain areas. The ECMWF weather model predicts that snow will hit Northern Ireland, Scotland and the north-west of England in the early hours of February 25.
In areas where the snowfall is most severe, such as Scotland and Northern Ireland, it could fall at a rate of around 2cm to 3cm per hour. The snow is then forecasted to move southwards across the UK during the day, with Manchester and Newcastle both expected to see snow by midday.
Over the Pennines, snow is predicted to fall at a rate of about 2cm per hour. Wales and the Midlands are also likely to see snow as the day goes on.
Snow depth charts for February 25 show snow settled on the ground from southern England to northern Scotland. The data suggests that as much as 49cm (19 inches) could fall in the Scottish Highlands, while southern Scotland could see 28cm (11 inches), and northern England could receive 13cm (five inches).
The Met Office has issued a warning for potential “colder conditions” and “wintry showers” that may emerge towards the end of this month. According to their forecast covering February 16 to 25, the UK can expect: “South or southeasterly winds are likely at the start of this period, and will maintain below average temperatures and often cloudy conditions. There is a chance of even colder conditions developing temporarily, which would see more wintry showers, especially in northeastern areas.”
The report also indicates that while frontal zones could bring milder conditions and rainfall from the west or southwest, their impact on the UK will be limited initially, except perhaps for the far southwest which might experience milder weather sooner.
The Met Office adds: “If, or when, they push further northeastwards the chance of some snow increases. The transition between colder and milder conditions remains uncertain, but towards the end of this period, the milder, wetter conditions are likely to have spread across much of the country.”