Met Office issues 'frequent' snow update and says where it is set to fall in England
by Ashlie Blakey · Manchester Evening NewsThe Met Office has issued a new update on the snow forecast ahead of temperatures plummeting this weekend.
The forecaster has said that 'frequent wintry showers are expected' from Monday next week (November 18) as the mercury drops to freezing. The white stuff may fall in some areas as early as Sunday as Arctic air sweeps over parts of the country, the Met Office previously said.
In the long-range forecast for November 18 to November 27, forecasters said snow showers are most likely in the north and along eastern and western coasts. Snow 'is likely to fall on low levels', the Met Office added, especially in the north of the UK.
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In full, the forecast on the website states: "Frequent wintry showers are expected, mainly in the north and along eastern and western coasts where exposed to the strong north to northwesterly flow. Snow is likely to fall to low levels, especially in the north.
"Many inland areas may be largely dry with lengthy sunny spells, especially where sheltered from the flow. However, there is a risk of some more organised areas of rain and hill snow running east across more southern parts.
"The chance of any widespread or disruptive snowfall affecting more populated areas at this stage remains low though. Cold everywhere with overnight frost, and the strong winds will result in significant wind chill. There is a hint that it may become less cold later in the period, with more of a westerly flow becoming established."
Forecasters predict that more snow may then fall between the period of November 28 and December 12 as 'Atlantic systems periodically move across the country'. From this Sunday, temperatures across the country are expected to drop to just above freezing and will drop even further in some areas at the start of next week.
The latest weather map shows patches of snow across parts of Scotland, northern England and Wales throughout Sunday. However, the Met Office told the Manchester Evening News that if any snow does fall on Greater Manchester it is not expected to cause any disruption.
Simon Partridge, senior operational meteorologist at the Met Office, said: "There is currently no disruptive snow expected for the Manchester area over the weekend and into the start of next week.
"The weather will turn colder from Sunday, but the details of how this will happen are still uncertain at this stage, therefore details are also uncertain. It is likely to be colder on Monday with a risk of wintry showers, especially over higher ground.
"These will be a mix of rain, sleet, hail and possibly snow, but details at this range are difficult, particularly as there are a number of contributing factors which are yet to be resolved in the forecast.
"Currently we can say that the weather will be colder and more unsettled as we move into next week. We are likely to see a mix of wintry showers with the potential of a little snow, mostly over higher ground."