The Met Office includes the possibility of snow in its long range weather forecast (Image: Getty)
The Met Office has forecast possible sleet or showers over 10 days later this month after the mercury drops across the country.
In its latest long-range weather update, the national forecaster says high-pressure northeast of Britain brings winds that will add to a “cold feel” as temperatures fall below average.
There’s a chance of widespread rain between February 9-18 across the south followed by a risk of some sleet or snow from the east, according to the .
meteorologist Aidan McGivern said: “The weather is going to change significantly over the next few days across the UK as high pressure arrives and then moves to the east, allowing colder, easterly winds to turn up.”
For some parts of the UK, Brits won’t have to wait until next week for snow to possibly fall. Mr McGivern said a high coming up from the Bay of Biscay will bring clear skies and showers, which could turn to snow in places overnight tonight (February 5).
This weather map shows snow in the Pennines and in parts of the Midlands at 6am on February 11 (Image: WX Charts)
Mr McGivern said temperatures will fall widely on Wednesday night, with the mercury dropping as low as -5C in some rural spots.
There will be sunny skies on Thursday, which looks set to be a “crisp winter’s day”, according to Mr McGivern. The high then moves off towards Scandinavia.
Temperatures will gradually fall away into the weekend as easterly winds arrive, with the wind chill making it feel even colder – some 0-2C over the UK.
The meteorologist said colder air mixing with milder air from a low pressure system moving in from the continent means patchy, light precipitation could also bring small amounts of snow to places in the west through Friday night into Saturday morning. Meanwhile, it looks set to be a grey, dreary day on Sunday.
A high over Scandinavia early next week means it will feel chilly, with patchy rain or sleet possible in some places. Temperatures will also most likely be a degree or two below average, but it won’t be a “Beast from the East” type situation.
Mr McGivern said forecasts for mid-February are currently at a crossroads, being a toss up between a small chance of a very cold easterly weather system bringing “disruptive” snow, the possibility of a more “benign” easterly flow, or westerlies coming in off the Atlantic.
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This map shows snow over part of Scotland and rain elsewhere at midday on February 12 (Image: WX Charts)
Met Office UK five day weather forecast
Wednesday, February 5 – Sunday, February 9
After a chilly start most places will see a dry day with a “good deal” of sunshine. However, showers are “likely” in the northwest. These could be wintry over the hills. It will be a breezy day in the north.
It will be a dry night everywhere tonight with “clear spells” and a “widespread” frost. Freezing fog patches are possible, but mainly in the southeast while it will remain “breezy” in the north.
High pressure on Thursday will bring dry and settled conditions. Frost and fog will lift, leaving behind a mostly sunny day. Patchy cloud will develop in the south and it will turn breezy more widely.
The outlook for Friday to Sunday is for high pressure to move away to the northeast of the UK. This will allow a cold east to southeasterly wind to develop, bringing more cloud and some possibly wintry showers.