A 144-hour-long Arctic blast is set to batter the country this month with 10cm of snow per hour, according to new weather maps.
Advanced weather modelling maps from WXCharts, which uses MetDesk data, shows parts of the UK turning shades of purple, indicating snowfall. The white stuff will be dumped across parts of central and western Scotland, the North West, central and northern Wales and well as parts of Northern Ireland.
On February 27, between 06.cm of snow will be dumped across the Midlands, Wales, Northern England, southern and western Scotland as well as Northern Ireland. Pockets of higher snowfall will be seen in western Scotland and North Yorkshire where between 2cm and 3.5cm is set to fall.
As much as 2cm of snow will hit central and western Scotland every hour from midnight on February 28. South of the border will see between 2cm and 2.5cm in central Wales while between 0.2cm and 0.6cm will be dumped in the North West and the northern coast of Northern Ireland.
Fast-forward to midnight on March 1 and the snowfall affects south-west Scotland, Cumbria, the North West, the North East, Yorkshire and swathes of Lincolnshire and Norfolk as well as all of Northern Ireland. Northern Ireland and England will see the highest amount of snowfall per hour with between 2.5cm and 3cm falling per hour, while the North East and Cumbria will see up to 2cm fall.
By 6am on march 2, the Arctic Blast shifts northward, with northern parts of England and most of Scotland seeing a flurry of snowfall. In the Pennines, the North East and Cumbria, a whopping 2cm, is expected to fall. But north of the border, between 2cm and 3cm is expected to fall in the Highlands while between 5cm to 10cm will be dumped each hour in south-western Scotland.
But those living away from the snowy blusters might still wake up to miserable conditions with between 1cm and 5cm of rain set to batter all other parts of the country at different times between February 28 and March 2. A long-range Met Office forecast for between February 21 and March 2 said frontal systems will bring rain and severe gales across many parts of the country.
“Atlantic frontal systems likely to spread across the UK from the west during this period,” The Met Office said. “These systems will bring spells of rain to many parts of the UK. The heaviest and most prolonged rainfall is expected to be in west and north-western areas, particularly over higher ground, with rainfall totals much lower in the east and southeast.
“Strong winds are also likely to develop at times, especially along coasts where gales or severe gales are possible. Between weather systems, some drier and more settled interludes are expected, these bringing lighter winds and sunny spells, perhaps accompanied by a few showers. Temperatures are likely [to] be above average, especially early in this period when it will be very mild.”
Outbreaks of rain moving across northwestern parts of the UK through this evening and overnight, falling as snow for parts of Scotland. Dry elsewhere with a patchy frost forming.
Rain and hill snow will clear from the north tomorrow. A breezy day for many, with some sunny spells. Still feeling cold, with a brisk southeasterly breeze.
Turning much milder through this period, but also more unsettled. Bands of rain are likely most days, especially across the north and west. Often windy, with the risk of gales.
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