The band of snow which is predicted to move south over Bristol and Gloucestershire could spread further west amid reports a new Beast from the East is looming.
The Met Office predicts ‘outbreaks of rain, sleet and snow’ across the West Country as sub-zero temperatures hit the region.
Ice warnings are in place for parts of the South West and large swatches of the UK today and tomorrow as experts predict a sudden stratospheric warming (SWW) event over the North Pole this week will increase the odds of a deep freeze over the next fortnight.
This SSW is “potentially the most dangerous kind” according to researchers and is what triggered the 2018 Beast from the East which saw the mercury plummet to -15 in parts of the UK, the Mirror reports.
Updated weather charts for the Gloucestershire, Bristol and Somerset area predict a band of snow will gradually intensify and spread as far west as Plymouth.
The Met Office states for Friday: “(There will be) outbreaks of rain, sleet and snow, wintry in places, linger in the morning but then weaken into the afternoon, clearing by the night. Remaining cold and turning icy overnight. Maximum temperature 4 degrees Celsius.”
How snow could move across our region
Bands of snow develop across the UK, affecting the midlands and Gloucestershire at aroud 9am, according to WX Charts.
The purple markings show how the snow could develop, moving south.
Snow could fall on Bristol, Wiltshire and parts of the South of England.
By 6pm, the snow moves West over Somerset.
The snow appears to move away from Bristol and into Somerset.
Sudden stratospheric warmings occur up to 30 miles above Earth and can bring very cold weather, which can trigger massive snowstorms.
In 2018, the Beast from the East brought freezing cold from Siberia to Britain, causing widespread chaos as snowstorms left drivers stranded on roads for hours, schools were shut and flights were grounded.
Almost 20 deaths were attributed to the cold and snowy conditions.
The Beast from the East hit about two weeks after the sudden stratospheric warming event.
Met Office five-day forecast for the South West
Today
A frosty start to the day, with some areas seeing fog patches slow to clear. Otherwise, the day looks to be dry and cold with frequent sunny spells, then turning cloudier towards the evening with showers developing in the north. Maximum temperature 6 °C.
Tonight
Outbreaks of rain approach southwards, turning wintry in places. Widespread frost expected in the east, as well as ice where any showers fall onto frozen surfaces. Minimum temperature -4 °C.
Friday
Outbreaks of rain, sleet and snow, wintry in places, linger in the morning but then weaken into the afternoon, clearing by the night. Remaining cold and turning icy overnight. Maximum temperature 4 °C.
Outlook for Saturday to Monday
A frosty and foggy start Saturday, clearing to give sunny spells. Cloudier into Sunday, with outbreaks of drizzle. Turning more unsettled into Monday afternoon, with stronger winds and occasional rain.
