The UK is bracing for a shift in weather patterns, transitioning from recent storms to a period of colder temperatures and potential snowfall. While Storms Eowyn and Herminia have recently battered the country with strong winds and heavy rain, the Met Office now forecasts a drop in temperatures, with some areas potentially reaching -4°C. This cold snap is expected to bring wintry showers, particularly to Northern Ireland and Northern Scotland, where snowfall is possible, especially in higher elevations. The Met Office has issued a yellow warning for ice in these regions, cautioning against potential travel disruptions due to icy patches on roads and pavements.
The plummeting temperatures are expected to lead to widespread frost formation, particularly in rural areas across the north. The Met Office advises pedestrians to use pavements along main roads, which are less likely to be slippery. The yellow ice warning covers a wide swathe of northern Scotland, including the Highlands, Moray, Aberdeenshire, Aberdeen, the Western Isles, and parts of Argyll and Bute, as well as areas of Northern Ireland including Country Antrim, Fermanagh, Londonderry and Tyrone. Motorists and other travelers are advised to allow extra time for their journeys due to the potentially hazardous conditions.
Looking ahead, the Met Office predicts a predominantly dry Thursday with sunny spells for most areas, although some freezing fog patches may linger in the morning. However, cloud cover, outbreaks of rain, and hill snow are expected to spread to the northwest by the end of the day. Friday is forecast to be cloudy in the south, with brighter spells further north. Another band of cloud and rain is anticipated to arrive in the northwest later on Friday. While strong winds are not expected to be a major feature of the coming days, heavy rain is anticipated across southern parts of the UK.
Beyond the immediate forecast, meteorologists suggest a heightened risk of “storm clustering” in the coming weeks, particularly during February and March. This means multiple storms could impact the UK in quick succession, similar to the recent back-to-back Storms Eowyn and Herminia. While the severity of these potential future storms remains uncertain, the Met Office warns of an increased likelihood of wet and windy weather, potentially leading to further disruptions. This pattern of storm clusters highlights the dynamic and unpredictable nature of the UK’s weather systems.
The five-day forecast indicates a transition from the current cold snap to more unsettled conditions. After the rain clears southeastwards on Friday morning, conditions are expected to be largely dry with bright spells. However, the northwest will turn wet and windy on Saturday, with some rain edging southeastwards on Sunday. Central and southeast England are expected to remain mostly fine. This forecast suggests a temporary respite from the wintry conditions before a return to wetter and windier weather patterns, particularly in the northwest.
Looking further ahead, the period from January 31st to February 4th is expected to offer a break from the harsh weather, with no weather warnings currently in place. However, heavy rain is anticipated south of London. Showers are also expected across the South West next week, followed by more dispersed showers across the whole of the UK. This follows a turbulent period of weather culminating in Storm Herminia, which brought gales of up to 84mph and over two inches of rain in some areas. The south of England bore the brunt of this storm, experiencing heavy rain, hail, and thick cloud cover. The forecast suggests a continuation of unsettled conditions, albeit with a brief respite from the extreme cold and ice.
