The snow is expected to arrive as high pressure weakens, giving way to a cold front from the north. With sub-zero temperatures already forecast for late December, conditions are set to become increasingly wintry as the first full week of January approaches.
Heavy Snowfall Predicted across Scotland and Northern Regions
Forecast maps from WXCharts, using data from Met Desk, indicate that the heaviest snowfall is likely to occur on January 8, with some regions in northern Scotland bracing for up to 26 centimetres of snow. According to these projections, areas such as Ross and Cromarty and Inverness-shire could see as much as 10.2 inches of snow fall in just one day. Sutherland is also expected to experience significant snowfall, with up to 8.2 inches forecast.
Further south, other parts of the UK will not escape the wintry conditions. In England, East Anglia, particularly the region around Norwich, could see accumulations reaching 10 centimetres. Meanwhile, Aberdeenshire may be in for up to 5.5 inches of snow, suggesting a widespread impact from the Arctic system. According to the same WXCharts data, the snow flurries and blizzard conditions are expected to affect Northern Ireland, Wales, Scotland, and the north of England, indicating the system’s broad reach.
The timing of this snowfall follows a sharp drop in temperatures expected from Christmas evening onwards. According to Netweather TV, a widespread frost will set in by the morning of Boxing Day, with rural inland areas likely to see sub-zero temperatures and the formation of ice on untreated surfaces.
Prolonged Snow and Sub-zero Temperatures Expected in Early January
The snowy conditions are not expected to be brief. According to WXCharts, snowfall will begin in northern parts of England around 6am on January 5 and continue for more than 12 hours. Regions likely to be affected include Greater Manchester, Lancashire, West and North Yorkshire, Cumbria, Northumberland, and Durham. On high ground, particularly in the Peak District and the Yorkshire Dales, snow depths could reach two inches.
Alongside the snowfall, temperatures are predicted to fall sharply. During this period, Scotland could see lows of -9°C during the early morning hours, while parts of northern England and Wales, including Yorkshire and the Humber and North Wales, may experience temperatures as low as -4°C. In the south, cities like Cardiff and Swansea could drop to around -1°C.
Looking further ahead, the BBC has reported that high pressure is likely to persist through the end of December, maintaining generally dry but cold conditions. A shift is expected into the first weekend of January, with the possibility of a low-pressure trough bringing rain or snow, especially across northern areas and higher ground in Scotland and Northern Ireland. According to the BBC, this transitional phase could mark a return to more unsettled weather, though temperatures are likely to remain on the colder side of average.
