Brits in major UK cities including Manchester, Edinburgh and the outskirts of London could be set for more snow as weather maps show up to 3cm an hour falling in and around Leeds
New weather maps for the UK have showed exactly when blizzard conditions are set to hit four major UK cities next week.
The latest maps from WX Charts show a band of snow sweeping across the country on Friday, February 7. Snow will begin falling at lunch time on Friday, with maps showing more than 1cm an hour falling in Manchester, the outskirts of Newcastle and the southeast, from the outskirts of London, through Cambridge and up into north Norfolk.
Snow will then become heavier and more widespread by 6pm, with the heaviest snow falling in and around the Leeds area, with up to 3cm an hour. Edinburgh, the outskirts of Manchester and Birmingham and the eastern edges of London could also see up to 1cm of snow falling an hour.
Maps show snow continuing right through into the early hours of Saturday, with up to 5cm of snow forecast in Leeds, though the snow should clear through the morning. It comes as Brits are bracing for yet another Arctic blast, this time with temperatures forecast to drop as low as -12C.
January has pelted the country with freezing conditions and fierce sorms, with extreme conditions and rare red alerts issued. But it appears that February is set to be just as brutal and wintry with almost the entire country blanketed in sub-zero temperatures at points and more snow forecast.
Looking ahead from February 3 to February 12, the Met Office forecast says: “Periods of wet weather are likely to affect northwestern parts of the UK at times, particularly early in this period. Some heavy rain is possible and this is likely to be accompanied by spells of strong winds. South of this, across the rest of the UK, it is likely to be more settled and whilst some rain can’t be ruled out at times, there is likely to be plenty of dry weather through this period.
“Winds will be lighter and this will bring the risk of overnight frost and fog. Overall, temperatures will be close to normal for most, but it is likely to be mild at times in the northwest. Brief colder spells are likely here in between weather systems though.”
As we move through February, the Met Office says there could be more of a north-south split when it comes to weather conditions. From February 13 through to the end of the month, the forecaster predicts: “There are signs that there may be somewhat of a north-south or northwest-southeast split to the UK’s weather through this period.
“The north or northwest is likely to bear the brunt of wet and windy spells, whilst towards the south or southest, it may be drier and more settled. Some rain is still likely a times here though, as are brief drier spells further north. Temperatures will probably be close to average overall, but some milder spells are likely, especially in the north. Brief colder spells are likely in between weather systems, though, and the south is likely to be at greatest risk of seeing some overnight frost and fog.”
