UK Weather: Where will it snow this week?

Heavy snowfall (by UK standards) is expected to cause disruptions across the UK later this week, with potential accumulations reaching up to 25cm in higher regions.

As the week progresses, temperatures are set to fall, prompting the Met Office to issue a yellow snow warning for Northern Ireland, a large part of Wales, and areas in northern and central England.

Snow accumulations could reach 2cm in lower areas, 2-5cm above 200m elevation, and a substantial 15-25cm could blanket areas above 400m, increasing the likelihood of icy conditions.

The snow warning is in effect from 6 am on Thursday for a full day, applying to regions from Cumbria and the Scottish border down through to Stoke-on-Trent and Nottinghamshire, and includes all of northern and central Wales, such as the Isle of Anglesey.

The main snow will fall on Wednesday and Thursday (8/9 Feb) and Pennine ski areas such as Yad Moss, Allenheads and Castleside could see over 45cm, although gale force winds will accompany the snow. Following the snowfall, temperatures will rise slightly above freezing with rain, so the likelihood of skiing fresh powder looks slim, but keep watching the forecasts.

UK skiers keen on Pen-y-Fan Snow in Wales’ Brecon Beacons had better find something else to do, as the freezing temperatures will not extend so far south.