Jet Stream Brings Soaking Showers and Snow Threat to UK
Wet and Windy Weeks Ahead
The jet stream is barreling in from the west, pushing low-pressure systems across the UK, sparking windy conditions and heavy rain, warns Met Office meteorologist Aidan McGivern. “Tightly packed isobars mean breezy spells, with strong gusts especially in the west,” he said. The soggy weather will continue into the weekend as more lows roll in, drenching large swathes of the country.
Southwest and South Wales Set for Torrential Downpours
Rain warnings are already in place for the southwest and much of south Wales from late Wednesday through Thursday afternoon. More alerts could be issued soon. McGivern warned that regions hit hard by previous rainfall in western England and Wales should watch out for further flooding.
The Brecon Beacons and Exmoor are expected to see between 60-80mm of rain, raising the risk of flooding in these areas.
Chilly Shift and Snow on the Horizon
The jet stream’s path will shift northwest early next week, dragging in colder air. This means rain and showers won’t just come from the west but will sweep in from the northwest, says McGivern.
That spell promises dropping temperatures and a mix of rain, hail, sleet, and even snow on higher ground across Scotland, northern England, and Northern Ireland by the weekend and into next week. Snow is most likely to pile up on hills and northern regions.
Weather Models Diverge on Snowfall Outlook
Forecasters face uncertainty over where exactly snow will fall next week. “Most models agree on some bad weather, but differ on the exact rainfall patterns and snowfall spots,” said McGivern. The highest chance of snow is Tuesday, mostly over hills in northern and possibly central UK.
Keep an eye on the 1 and prepare for unseasonably sodden and wintry conditions ahead.
