Snow may make a comeback in the UK this week according to sophisticated weather models indicating an Arctic front that could bring up to 4cm of snow to certain areas. The ECMWF weather model forecasts an Atlantic system making its way across the UK on Friday, with most regions expecting rainfall, although there is a possibility of snowfall as well.
By approximately 6pm on Friday, heavy snow is projected to fall in North Wales, with light flurries also likely in the Lake District. A band of rain is anticipated to traverse southern and central England, while Northern Ireland is also expected to experience heavy downpours.
The snow is then forecasted to move northward, with significant snowfall in the far north of England and southern Scotland by 9pm. Some light snow may also fall in the Midlands, just south of Birmingham, around the same time. By midnight, the focus of snowfall appears to be central and northern Scotland, although intermittent flurries could persist in the northeast of England.
Snow depth charts for midnight on Friday suggest accumulations in parts of the Midlands, Staffordshire, Yorkshire, the Lake District, the Pennines, and both southern and northern Scotland. The largest snow accumulation is anticipated in Galloway Forest Park, where around 4cm of snow could settle.
The Met Office has not yet issued a snow forecast for the upcoming week. The outlook for Thursday to Saturday indicates further spells of rain and showers across the country with a risk of fog patches on Friday morning. Temperatures are expected to be around the seasonal average.
Looking ahead to December 6 to 15, the forecast suggests continued unsettled conditions with showers or longer spells of rain affecting much of the country. A frontal zone moving east on Saturday could bring locally heavy rain, especially in hilly areas exposed to strong southerly winds. Showers, potentially heavy and thundery, are likely to follow, with the possibility of more organized heavy rain moving across most areas on Monday. Temperatures are expected to be close to average, with wet and breezy conditions making it feel quite chilly, although frost and fog are unlikely during this unsettled period.