The county is bracing for freezing temperatures and the possibility of wintry showers in the coming days. Daytime highs are expected to be around 6C, but the cold northerly winds will make it feel much colder. While some wintry showers are forecasted, the ground temperatures are too warm for the snow to settle. Eastern coastal areas are most likely to see wintry showers, with some sleet potentially accompanying the showers. Despite the wintry weather, the temperatures are not expected to drop low enough for the snow to settle.
In a warming climate, the first snow occurs on average 10 days later in the UK than it did 60 years ago, according to weather presenter Chris Page. The Met Office spokesman also mentioned that the cold northerly winds may bring wintry showers in from the North Sea, but again emphasized that the ground temperatures will be too warm for the snow to settle. The greatest likelihood is for showers to contain sleet rather than snow. This indicates that the wintry weather will be in the form of sleet and not snow and is mainly expected for hills and possible eastern coastal areas.
The possibility of wintry showers and freezing temperatures has increased due to the cold northerly winds set to hit the county. While daytime highs are expected to be around 6C, it will feel much colder due to the northerly winds. Weather presenter Chris Page stated that the eastern coastal areas will most likely see the wintry showers. However, the ground temperatures are not expected to drop low enough for the snow to settle. Instead, there may be some sleet accompanying the showers, with the most likely outcome being that the showers will contain sleet, rather than snow. Despite the colder temperatures and possibility of wintry showers, the county is not expected to see any snow settling due to the ground temperatures remaining too warm.
In summary, the county is facing freezing temperatures and the possibility of wintry showers with daytime highs expected to be around 6C. The cold northerly winds will make it feel even colder. The wintry showers are most likely to impact eastern coastal areas and may contain sleet rather than snow, due to the ground temperatures remaining too warm for the snow to settle. The possibility of wintry showers in a warming climate is indicative of changes in the UK’s snowfall patterns compared to 60 years ago.
