Most significant snow so far this season to settle over northern UK

By Kristina Pydynowski, Senior Meteorologist

November 7,2016; 10:15PM,EDT

 

 

The cold snap gripping the United Kingdom will set the stage for the most significant snowfall in parts of Scotland and northern England so far this season.
With plenty of cold air in place, a system arriving from the Atlantic will cause snow to develop across the hills of Scotland and northern England on Tuesday and into Tuesday night.
A total of 8-15 cm (3-6 inches) will settle above 300 m (1,000 feet) in Scotland and northern England. The heaviest totals and locally higher amounts will likely be measured in the Peak District National Park.
The heavy and wet nature of the snow may result in sporadic power cuts and will make shoveling difficult. Travel will become treacherous.

The system will be a mostly chilly rain event for Manchester and Liverpool. However, cold air becoming trapped east of the hills will lead to more snow in the lower elevations of Yorkshire and the Humber and the northern East Midlands, away from the coast.
Rain will mix with, then change to snow in Sheffield, Chesterfield and Nottingham on Tuesday night. Accumulations of around 8 cm (3 inches) are forecast.
Motorists should prepare for slick roads with delays to start Wednesday's commute.
Snow falling for a brief time could also lightly dust York, Scunthorpe and Lincoln.
In Scotland, the heaviest bursts of snow will cause snow to coat mostly grassy and elevated surfaces as low as 150 m (500 feet). Wet snowflakes will mix with rain in Glasgow.
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Other than little initial snow falling on the hills in Wales, rain will also spread across Northern Ireland and the southern U.K.
The rain will soak Belfast during the day on Tuesday before spreading to Cardiff in the afternoon and evening. Residents and visitors in London will not need brollies until nighttime.
As Tuesday's system quickly departs on Wednesday, a weaker system will follow. Scattered showers will spread from northwest to southeast across the U.K. Wednesday into Thursday. Any snow will be confined to the highest hills.
Temperatures on Thursday will be close to normal, but a brisk wind will blow and create lower AccuWeather RealFeel® temperatures.
The week will end with yet another system targeting the U.K. This warmer system will deliver rain to the U.K. Friday into Friday night. Cool winds will quickly follow on Saturday.