Get ready for a winter wonderland, as parts of the UK are set to experience snowfall starting this weekend. Weather experts have signalled a "major change" with an "early winter cold spell" and potential "disruptive" conditions that may trigger weather warnings. The Met Office's latest predictions reveal a five-day outlook on where and what type of precipitation we can expect. Things could kick off with hailstone hitting the Orkney Islands and Outer Hebrides shortly after midnight, according to their forecasts.
Then, the Scottish Highlands might welcome the first snowflakes in the early hours of Saturday morning. Isolated snow showers could continue into Saturday, affecting places like Fort William and Rannoch, with heavier snow expected Saturday night further north in spots like Craig and Loch Glascarnoch. This snowy scenario is predicted to linger, especially on higher elevations, into early Sunday.
Later, at around 3pm, a chilly mix of showers may sweep over southern Scotland, bringing potential snow to Strathyre and Stirling, while Glasgow and Edinburgh could face hail and icy rain.
And, by early Sunday evening, northern England should brace for its share of snow, with Rochester in Northumberland and areas along the Scottish borders, such as Jedburgh, anticipating significant snowfalls. This snowy spectacle will likely drift further south, passing just west of Newcastle as Sunday night unfolds.
Greater Manchester and the North West are set to face heavy rain, while Penrith, Kendal in Cumbria, and Lancaster in Lancashire might see snow on Monday morning and afternoon. The areas around Burnley could experience some snowfall by Monday evening.
Scotland, Cumbria, Lancs, and the North East may have further snow outbreaks early Tuesday morning. By Tuesday midday, heavy snow is expected in parts of mid-Wales, spreading to north Wales in the afternoon.
Most of Wales, including Swansea and Cardiff, should brace for impact by Wednesday's early hours, as per the current forecast. The Met Office has issued a statement: "Cold or very cold conditions are likely to affect most if not all parts of the UK early in this period, with wintry showers affecting in particular northern parts and exposed coastal districts."
They added, "Overnight frost will likely be widespread and occasionally strong winds will result in significant wind chill. However, there may be more organised areas of rain and snow, accompanied by strong winds, which run across some parts. This could lead to some disruptive weather at times, especially at the start of this period."
According to the forecast, the south may briefly experience milder conditions. However, towards the end of the period, the cold weather might ease, but the weather is likely to remain mostly unsettled with more rain and snow.
Deputy Chief Meteorologist Rebekah Hicks stated: "A notable early winter cold spell will arrive across the north from Sunday and will likely reach all parts of the UK by midweek. Temperatures will drop as a northerly airflow develops, bringing in colder Arctic air. This introduces the possibility of snow, initially over high ground in the north from Sunday, with gusty winds also a potential hazard."
However, she added that there was "a lot of uncertainty in what might happen after Sunday."