UK to be hit with 60-hour snow deluge as maps show exactly where it'll hit

The UK is set to be battered by a 60-hour snow deluge as another Arctic blast heads our way. Western Scotland will first see the snow from midday on December 9, before it spreads to Northern Ireland, mid-Wales and parts of Cumbria and Lancashire by midnight on December 10.

WX Charts' latest weather maps, using MetDesk data, show the snow retreating, covering a large area of western Scotland by midnight on December 11. The forecast suggests that December's weather will become more unsettled, with westerly winds and the potential for a mid-Atlantic ridge to form, increasing the chances of an Arctic blast, particularly in northern Britain, reports the Mirror.

Netweather adds: "This means that there could be snow for some, particularly on high ground and in the north. Overall, the weather during this period is expected to be more unsettled, but not particularly wet, with high pressure often quite close to the south and/or west of the British Isles."

Currently, the Met Office's long-range forecast from December 2 to December 11 doesn't mention snow, but says rain and showers will continue hitting parts of the country, according to the Express. The forecast reads: "On Monday, low pressure will continue to bring rain and showers for many, wintry across northern Scotland, and fairly windy at first in the east."

The Met Office has forecast a shift in weather conditions, stating: "However any wet and windy weather will ease as a ridge of high pressure moves in from the west overnight Monday and into Tuesday. This will bring drier and more settled weather for all, but also a risk of fog for some on Tuesday morning which could be slow to clear."

"Low pressure systems are then expected to resume moving in from the Atlantic from Wednesday, tracking close to, or across northern and western parts of the UK, perhaps resulting in more wet and windy weather here. Southern and eastern areas drier, but still could see rain at times. Temperatures for most places above average."

Discussing the latter half of December, forecasts suggest changes ahead: "Then looking at the second half of December, the Met Office says the weather will become less settled again. The long-range forecast from December 12 to December 26 reads: 'Settled weather is signalled to be most likely at first, at least across the south. However, towards mid-December, there are signs that the weather will become less settled again, with west or northwesterly types preferred."

"These will bring some wetter and windier spells with a risk of some snow, especially across northern hills. These conditions may prevail into late December, although drier, more settled spells may also affect the UK at times, again these probably more likely towards the south. Temperatures generally close to average through the period, or slightly above in areas which are wet and windy."

Heavy localised rain will gradually clear eastwards across central and southern England and Wales, with brighter skies following from the west. There's a possibility of gales in the southeast.

Elsewhere, fog and frost will give way to a day of sunny spells and isolated showers. Tonight, a few showers will affect North Sea coasts of both England and Scotland.

It will be dry elsewhere with clear periods and light winds, leading to widespread frost and some patches of freezing fog. Thursday will see frost and fog slowly clearing from most areas to leave a dry, though chilly, day with some sunshine.

However, it will become cloudier and windier in the west with some patchy rain developing. The outlook for Friday to Sunday is fine in the southeast on Friday, albeit cold.

It will be cloudier with some rain in the north and west. Generally, the weekend will be cloudier but milder, with occasional rain and often windy conditions.