Issued: 1000hrs Saturday 24th February 2018
Duty forecaster: Garry Nicholson

Locally very heavy snow and drifting

The week ahead will bring the coldest weather Britain has seen for many years. Frigid air originating from Siberian will be drawn around high pressure centred over Scandinavia, transported towards us on bitter easterly winds. Moisture picked up over the North Sea will produce heavy snowfalls, focused on east & north-eastern regions, and also locally in the south-west where showers come in from the Channel.

For the weather for the next few days click here

Tuesday 27/02/18
Very cold for all, and significant snow is possible. A trough of low pressure moving in from the North Sea brings a risk of snow becoming heavier, focused on east and north-eastern regions, but snow may sweep across much of the country. Substantial accumulations are possible on eastern hills from the Peak District to the Grampians, but snow will also lie to the lowest levels. Staying near or below freezing point all day.

Wednesday 28/02/18
Continued easterly winds maintain extremely cold weather through midweek. Severe frost overnight, with minimum temperatures -5 to -10C or locally lower in shelter. Further snow is likely, focused on eastern areas, with some prolonged heavy falls possible. Bands of showers over the English Channel may also bring heavy snow to parts of Devon and Cornwall. Daytime temperatures staying sub-zero for some, and only 0 to 2C at best.

Thursday 01/03/18
A continuing very cold easterly pattern. Severe wind chill. Snow in north-eastern areas, also eastern parts of Ireland. Risk belts of snow also clipping south-west England. Central England and Wales may be dry and bright with hazy sun. Staying near or below freezing by day. Scope for exceptionally low overnight temperatures below -5C in shelter, but in rural areas -10C or lower is possible.

Friday 02/03/18
Little overall change - staying cold. Detail uncertain, further snow is likely in the north-east as strong easterly winds persist. A chance of snow developing more widely in the south if fronts try and encroach north from Biscay. Hard frost and daytime temperatures around freezing point.

Saturday 03/03/18
Staying cold, with an easterly weather pattern prevailing. Possible snow flurries, and a small risk of some more organised snow in the south. Highs 0 to 3C at best.

Sunday 04/03/18
Most likely staying bitterly cold. Areas of snow showers or flurries in the east. A small risk of low pressure to the south bringing snow more widely. Highs 0 to 3C.