UK (Parliament Politics Magazine) – The UK will experience snow mostly on higher ground in northern regions this weekend, with limited accumulation expected outside Scotland and the northern hills. Most of the country will see unsettled weather including heavy rain and strong winds, particularly in eastern and southern areas.
Snowfall Mostly Confined to Scotland and Northern Hills
According to the Met Office, this weekend’s snow will primarily affect higher elevations such as the Scottish Highlands and northern England uplands. Some snow showers may reach cities including Manchester, Leeds, and Stoke-on-Trent on Sunday, but significant accumulation is unlikely there. North-West Scotland is forecast to have the most sustained snow cover, where snow may remain on the ground until midnight Sunday.
The official forecast highlights snow confined mainly to upland areas with northern Scotland bearing the brunt of wintry conditions. The Met Office downplays wide snow coverage across the country, reinforcing that total snowfall is expected to be light and patchy except at altitude.
Unsettled Weather with Heavy Rain and Strong Winds Elsewhere
BBC Weather and the Met Office note an incoming weather system bringing heavy rain showers and strong winds to much of England and Wales from Saturday evening. In particular, eastern England, the South-East, Midlands, and Wales will be subject to yellow weather warnings for heavy rain and gusts potentially reaching 50 to 60 mph. This wind and rain combination poses risks for travel delays and localised flooding this weekend into early December.
The unsettled pattern of rain and wind is expected to persist as low-pressure systems dominate the UK weather, keeping conditions variable and wet for much of the country. The wet weather may overshadow any light snow outside higher altitudes.
Cold Temperatures but No Major Snowstorm Forecast
Temperatures will turn noticeably colder with nighttime lows predicted to drop below freezing in northern areas and the Scottish Highlands, where -5°C to -6°C is possible. Despite the chill, meteorologists do not anticipate any heavy or prolonged snowstorms in populous or lowland areas, limiting disruptive snowfall likely to rural and upland regions [Met Office, Secret LDN, AccuWeather].
Simon King of BBC Weather notes some uncertainty remains regarding the precise track of the weather systems but confirms the probability of snow is primarily restricted to northern high ground, while the rest of the country faces rain and strong wind.
Travel and Safety Advisory for the Weekend
The Met Office and BBC Weather advise caution for those travelling in northern and elevated areas this weekend due to frost, icy patches, and snowfall on roads, as well as wet and windy conditions elsewhere. Yellow warnings indicate heightened risk for transport disruption in southern and eastern England caused by heavy rain and strong winds.
Residents in vulnerable areas, especially uplands and northern Scotland, should prepare for winter conditions including slippery surfaces and reduced visibility during snow and rain showers.
