It sure has been a rough past 24 hours across Britain with 100+mph winds, 65+ft waves recorded off the Outer Hebrides as well as widepsread and disruptive snow with blizzard conditions in places. During the overnight much of Scotland recieved anywhere from a dusting to as much as 2-4 inches of snow with higher amounts over the hills. The west winds continued throughout today and with those came somewhat milder air, this melted away much of the overnight snow but it did still feel raw in the wind.

I drove down a snow covered M74 early this morning from Glasgow to Carlisle and conditions became particularly poor between Happendon services and Beattock Summit where a howling west wind combined with heavy snow, made for near blizzard conditions. The road became completely snow covered and to be honest, this was the worst I’ve seen on this stretch and I did indeed drive throughout the nasty winter of 2009-10 as well as 2010-11.

The south Pennines bore the brunt of heavy snow through today while conditions gradually improved across large parts of Scotland. Even Greater Manchester saw a decent covering.

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Winds Turn Northerly

Through tonight, winds are still strong but their veering northerly now and this will help drive colder air down over the UK. Air temperatures mustering 2-4C widely, perhaps 6 or 7C along the coast will feelmuch much colder with that northerly flow. It’s going to feel well below freezing out there throughout Wednesday.

As you can see from the below GFS pressure chart, the isobars are blowing from the north. These winds may drive snow showers southwards over parts of the North.

Potential Snow Thursday

A frontal system positioned west of Ireland will creep ever closer Wednesday night through Thursday morning, eventually pushing in Thursday afternoon and evening. Ahead of this front, clear skies and lighter winds will make for a very cold night Wednesday into Thursday and later on in the day, that front will bring in wind and rain but as this moisture hits the cold air over land, this turns readily to snow.

Here’s the latest GFS precip chart for later Thursday as the front pushes in..

Following the milder air feeding in on the backside of the initial cold, the northerly flow will drive ARCTIC air down over the UK, signficantly cooling the 850 temps once again and supressing highs tomorrow to between 2-5C, may 6 or 7C on the coast.

Thursday sees that system push on and on it’s backside, more northerly flow and more arctic air drives south. Any lying snow will help keep those temps down.

Here’s Friday and we remain in between the ridge (well west) and east of the trough. We continue to find ourselves within a north flow. A cold flow which takes us into the weekend!

Beyond the weekend, which btw may bring us more snow oppertunity, I believe the cold pattern continues with more fun and games on the way. Look out for some very cold nights in between systems which a frequent NORTHERLY blast of air. Get a calm and clear slot and your talking some of the coldest nights of the entire winter.

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