Snow is forecast for Bristol next Friday (March 11) as an 'Arctic blast' from Iceland is set to see temperatures plummet. WXCharts predicts 'flurries' of snow in the south west next week, while the north, the midlands and parts of Wales could see up to 20cm.
Usually we see the first signs of spring in March, but weather experts say the first half of the month will feel cold and wintry, with temperatures as low as -5C in Bristol. Over the coming week, there will be "unsettled weather" across the UK which is set to calm towards the end of the month.
Light flurries of snow are forecast to fall overnight in Bristol on March 11, with 'heavy snowfall' possible in Wales and Scotland. Purple images on weather maps show up to 50cm of could land in the north, which could stick around into the following week.
Also read: Met Office shows 12-hour deluge to lash Bristol ahead of possible snow next week
The Met Office outlook from March 8 to 17 says that the weather is likely to be unsettled with cold temperatures. It stated: "Mostly dry with clear and sunny spells to start the period, with outbreaks of rain arriving to the far west and southwest.
"Likely to become windy in the north and west with a risk of coastal gales. Bands of rain with short-lived snow may follow, moving northeastwards and probably stalling across central areas at times, with some eastern areas remaining dry.
"Likely to become more unsettled through the period, with Atlantic weather systems perhaps bringing spells of wet and windy weather, interspersed with brief drier and brighter interludes. Rather cool or even cold across much of the UK, but temperatures may begin to recover to nearer normal from the west later in the period."
Also read: Bristol weather: Charts show snow will fall in city next week as temperatures plunge to -5C
But before that, looking to Friday it is a rainy outlook.
A Met Office forecaster said: "Most persistent rain will be in Aberdeenshire and towards Northumberland but further west drizzly bits and pieces can’t be ruled out in the central belt towards Cumbria, even Lancashire and Yorkshire seeing a damp start to the day.
"A bit more in the way of persistent rain for east Yorkshire, Lincolnshire, down towards East Anglia for a time. Showers will run in across Cerrigydrudion, Pembrokeshire, Cornwall and Devon and we will see a few just developing across Northern Ireland.
"One or two just running in across north west Scotland but here some brighter weather where sunshine will develop during the day."
Check the weather forecast near you, powered by In Your Area:
Bristol forecast for this weekend
Today:
After a grey start in eastern parts of the region, most areas will enjoy brighter conditions than on Thursday. Sunny intervals are likely for many, but western areas will also see occasional showers, these locally heavy. Breezy in the west. Maximum temperature 10 °C.
Tonight:
Dry for most of the region with clear periods, although a few isolated showers remain possible, mainly in the west. Turning cold, with a touch of frost in the countryside. Minimum temperature 2 °C.
Saturday:
A dry day for much of the region with sunny spells, although with some scattered showers in the west. Cloudier in the east of the region where rain arrives later. Maximum temperature 9 °C.
Outlook for Sunday to Tuesday:
Largely cloudy on Sunday but most places staying dry. Becoming brighter with some sunshine next week, particularly by Tuesday. Turning considerably colder with overnight frosts possible and becoming increasingly windy.
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