New maps from WX Charts show a brutal Arctic blast is set to bring icy temperatures
(Image: Eileen Groome via Getty Images)
New snow forecast maps show that millions of Brits could face blizzards as an Arctic blast is set to strike the country in the run-up to Christmas. The wintry front is forecast to arrive as early as Friday, December 19 , bringing an abrupt and chilly end to the recent mild spell. The worst affected areas will be parts of Scotland and Northern England .
- Wintry Front Arriving: New maps from WX Charts show a brutal Arctic blast is set to bring icy temperatures and widespread snow in the week before Christmas. This wintry front is forecast to begin striking parts of the country as early as 3 am on Friday, December 19 .
- Affected Regions: Snow is expected to start falling across the Scottish Highlands and parts of Cheshire before spreading quickly. By 9 am that morning, blizzards are forecast to hit Blackpool and Yorkshire , as well as parts of north-west and south-east Wales.
- Mixed Precipitation Risk: While snow is forecast, weather maps also indicate that a large amount of rain will fall at the same time, making the likelihood of the snow actually sticking uncertain. Many places not experiencing snowfall, such as Birmingham and London, are predicted to see heavy showers instead.
- Southern Reach: The cold front is expected to move far south, with further snowfall predicted for the next day, December 20 . Maps show the flurries could reach as far south as Devon in southwest England, potentially causing travel problems.
- Met Office Outlook: The Met Office long-range forecast for the period advises that although temperatures will often be mild, there is a “slight downward trend” in temperature later in the month. This increases the chance of some “wintry hazards” especially across the northern parts of the UK.
- Temporary Cold Snap: After the snowy spell, temperatures are forecast to rise again sharply to above average for the time of year. This indicates the cold weather may be a short-lived blast rather than a sustained, long-term cold snap.
