The UK could soon be swept by "organised bands of snow" as the current cold snap intensifies, according to the Met Office. The country is currently feeling a fresh plunge in temperatures, but the forecaster's outlook suggests it could yet have further to go.
The national forecasts for the coming five days also suggest that parts of the country could see "snow and hail showers" as soon as Monday (March 6).
According to the Met Office, these wintry conditions are predicted to land around the middle of the month. It is likely that the South West will experience overnight frosts over the weekend, with temperatures possibly reaching 0C, but from Monday (March 6) next week, they say that northerly winds will bring "cold conditions to most areas".
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They add: "This will most likely result in wintry showers across northern and eastern areas, these turning to more organised bands of snow at times."
Said snowfall is not expected unless you're in the north and north east of the country, and not until around March 15. But after then, wintry showers are predicted to hit the UK as a whole, with the South West possibly experiencing heavier rain than other areas.
The predictions come after it was announced that the UK has experienced what is called a 'sudden stratospheric warming (SSW) event', whereby there is "a rapid warming (up to about 50C in just a couple of days), between 10 km and 50 km above the earth’s surface".
Although this doesn't mean that we feel the rise in temperature at ground level, it does mean we may experience a knock-on cooling effect, which may not be experienced until several weeks later.
This is precisely what happened before the infamous "Beast of the East" which wreaked havoc back in 2018, where the county was hit by a 'mega snow bomb'.
Five-day weather forecast for the South West
Today (Thursday):
After a chilly start, a largely dry day with plenty of early spring sunshine and some patchy cloud. Feeling pleasant in the sun with winds remaining light. Maximum temperature 10 °C.
Tonight:
Staying dry with lengthy clear skies to start. Cloud gradually builds from the east overnight with occasional breaks allowing for a local frost to develop, mainly in the west. Minimum temperature 0 °C.
Friday:
Remaining dry with some sunny intervals. The best of the sunshine during the morning. Cloudier overnight with a patchy frost under any prolonged cloud breaks. Maximum temperature 8 °C.
Outlook for Saturday to Monday:
Often cloudy but largely dry, with some sunny intervals. Isolated showers possible Sunday and Monday. Feeling rather cold and overnight frosts possible.
Long range forecast from March 6 until March 15
The Met Office states: "This period is expected to be characterised by winds from the north bringing cold conditions to most areas.
"This will most likely result in wintry showers across northern and eastern areas, these turning to more organised bands of snow at times.
"Under this regime, many other areas are likely to remain dry with some sunshine, the best of this across inland areas and in the south and west of the UK.
"During the later part of the period confidence decreases significantly, however there is a risk of some milder and wetter weather pushing into the south from the Atlantic, meaning spells of rain will become more likely across the country.
"Temperatures overall will be below average but may gradually trend up through the period."
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