20 February 2023 , 04:00
1130
0
A massive blizzard is headed to the UK, and could lead to 18 hours of continuous snowfall, it's been claimed.
The snowstorm was forecasted to hit in just two weeks' time, and would affect almost all of the country.
First hints of snow would fall on Friday March 3, mainly impacting the eastern coast of the entire UK.
It would spark a mega 24-hour snow blitz in the North Sea until Monday March 6.
At that point, snow was forecast to fall up and down England, stretching from Southampton up to Newcastle, according to WXCharts.
Shop prices 'are yet to peak and will remain high' as inflation hits new heights
First hints of snow would fall on Friday March 3, mainly impacting the eastern coast of the entire UK (Rowan Griffiths / Daily Mirror)The snowfall was expected to get increasingly heavier throughout the day, culminating in up to 5cm landing each hour.
Southern England and Wales was forecast to have snow until the afternoon of Tuesday March 7.
Met Office forecaster Aidan McGivern told The Mirror: "It looks as though there are some changes on the way from the middle of next week.
Snow is expected to fall across England (purple) well into the weekend of March 4/5"We are seeing a major Sudden Stratospheric Warming taking place above the North Pole and what that means is that the winds in the stratosphere surrounding the North Pole are expected to reverse, instead of going from west to east they are going to go from east to west.
"That can have a drag effect on the jet stream which can slow the jet stream down which can in turn lead to higher pressure at the surface, a blocking area of high pressure, blocking wind and rain from the Atlantic and sometimes leading to colder conditions. That’s why Sudden Stratospheric Warmings increase the chance of cold weather."
There could be up to 5cm of snow each hour (Getty Images)Meanwhile, the UK was forecast a relatively mild start to this week, with flutterings of showers.
Rain is expected in the northwest of England, as well as central Scotland.
It'll be brighter for the far north of Scotland, as well as the Midlands, and Southern England.
UK five-day weather forecast
This evening and tonight:
Strong and gusty winds across northern areas. Band of rain moving south across northern Scotland, followed by showers far north. A good deal of cloud further south, some drizzle in west.
8 money changes coming in February including Universal Credit and passport fees
Monday:
Rain across central Scotland, sunny spells and a few showers in far north with severe gales. Elsewhere, rather cloudy, bright at times in east, but drizzle on western hills.
Outlook for Tuesday to Thursday:
Mild but cloudy on Tuesday. Rain later in the northwest, will spread to most areas Wednesday, clearing from the southeast Thursday. Colder conditions follow with wintry showers and overnight frost.