As the UK prepares for another wave of cold weather, meteorological maps from WX Charts reveal a sharp north-south divide. Snow is expected to cover vast stretches of England by Thursday, February 5, but areas from Kent to Cornwall are set to escape the worst.
According to WX Charts, which uses Met Desk data, the snowfall is forecast to span from northern Scotland down through central England, turning maps stark white and indicating possible travel disruption. Counties such as Yorkshire, Greater Manchester and the West Midlands are included in the warning, while Surrey, Hampshire and Norfolk are among those currently expected to avoid the snow.
Counties across Central and Northern England to See Widespread Snowfall
According to WX Charts, snowfall is likely to impact large swathes of northern and central England from early next week. The affected counties include Northumberland, Cumbria, Durham, Lancashire, Cheshire, and Yorkshire. Areas further south such as Nottinghamshire, Staffordshire, Leicestershire, and the West Midlands are also forecast to receive snow by Thursday.
Further down the list are Warwickshire, Rutland, Greater London, Hertfordshire, and Buckinghamshire, all of which are expected to experience varying levels of snow cover. The WX Charts visualisations, based on Met Desk data, indicate a dense band of snow descending from Scotland and gradually covering most of the central belt.
The coverage is expected to be heavy in certain parts, which could lead to hazardous travel conditions and minor disruption. According to the BBC Weather team, this wintry spell is being driven by a clash between high pressure from Scandinavia and low pressure systems advancing from the Atlantic, keeping weather patterns unsettled throughout the week.
South and Eastern Counties Set to Remain Snow-Free
In contrast, 17 counties are currently forecast to remain unaffected by the incoming snow, according to the latest WX Charts data. These include Lincolnshire, Cambridgeshire, Suffolk, Essex, Kent, Surrey, Oxfordshire, Wiltshire, Hampshire, Somerset, and Berkshire. Counties in the south-west such as Devon, Cornwall, Gloucestershire, Dorset, and Herefordshire are also expected to stay clear of snow coverage during the same period.
These regions are likely to experience comparatively milder and frost-free conditions, although some chilly nights may still occur. The BBC Weather service noted that while there is no notably cold air on the horizon, overnight frosts and slippery road surfaces remain a risk in colder areas such as Scotland and Northern Ireland.
The BBC adds that temperature variations will be noticeable across the UK, with the coolest conditions confined mostly to the north and temperatures in the south and south-west sitting slightly above seasonal averages. Winds are expected to turn more south-westerly towards the end of the week, bringing a slight uptick in overall temperatures as a low pressure system approaches. The overall forecast paints a picture of a divided weather pattern, with parts of England set to experience significant snowfall, while others continue with a relatively dry and temperate start to February.
