Blink and you would’ve missed it. But the UK already experienced a sprinkling of snow earlier this week (January 8). It’s just a shame none of it landed here! Those wishing for snow in Birmingham, however, may soon feel the curse of the monkey’s paw.
The Met Office has warned of ‘disruptive snow’ hitting the UK next week. A northerly airflow will bring cold arctic air to the UK from Sunday (January 14) and into early next week. These snow showers won’t trouble us down here in the South West but will be focussed across northern areas of Scotland and Northern Ireland.
It’s later in the middle of next week that should concern us. With cold air firmly in place over the UK, there’s a chance of ‘potentially impactful snow’ hitting some areas as milder Atlantic air pushes in from the southwest. With these cool conditions and the potential for snow and ice for some, the Met Office is warning that travel plans could be impacted.
Met Office Deputy Chief Meteorologist, David Hayter explained: “While the initial snow risk from Sunday onwards is looking most likely to be coastal areas in the north of the UK, including North Sea and Irish Sea coasts, there’s an ongoing likelihood of some disruptive snow through the middle to the latter part of next week.
“What we’re keeping an eye on for this disruptive snow is where exactly this milder air from the southwest bumps into the cold air that will be in place over the UK. It’s where these airmasses meet that there’s a likelihood of some substantial snow for some places. At the moment, models are showing us a variety of options for exactly when and how this situation plays out and it’s something we’ll be able to add more details to in the coming days.”
As well as know, trying to predict the weather in the UK is basically fortune telling. With around a week to go until that transition occurs, there are still plenty of details for Met Office to work out before it can confirm snow in Birmingham.