UK weather: Will it snow again this January?

UK weather: Will it snow again this January?

As January unfolds, the UK faces a complex interplay of weather systems that could bring a return to wintry conditions. Earlier in the month, Arctic winds swept down, causing heavy snowfall, widespread icy patches, and sharply cold temperatures across many areas. However, a recent alteration in the jet stream has allowed milder, moisture-laden air from the Atlantic to move in. This change has warmed temperatures to average levels for the season but also introduced new challenges such as persistent rainfall, strong winds, and rapid snowmelt that have resulted in localized flooding in some locations.

Looking ahead, it appears the UK is caught between two competing weather patterns, raising uncertainty over what will dominate in the coming weeks. On one side, an Atlantic low pressure system is expected to continue pushing in from the west, bringing unsettled conditions with frequent showers and milder air. Conversely, high pressure areas over eastern Europe and Scandinavia may push westward intermittently, allowing colder, more stable air to extend into eastern parts of the UK. This clash of influences means a battle between milder, rainy weather and colder, snowier conditions is likely to unfold.

For the immediate future, the Atlantic system is expected to prevail, maintaining mostly cloudy skies with variable rain showers. Temperatures should hover near the seasonal average during this period. Clearer nights in sheltered or rural areas will, however, keep the risk of frost alive. As the month progresses, the forecast becomes less certain, but there is an increasing possibility that the high-pressure system to the east will gain strength. If this occurs, colder air may spread westwards, causing temperatures to dip below average. This shift would raise the chance of wintry precipitation, potentially bringing snow to higher ground and possibly some lower-level areas as well.

Considering these developments alongside the severe cold experienced at the beginning of the month, January might conclude as a colder than usual month overall. This is notable given the trend in recent years toward milder winters dominated by Atlantic influences. Despite the warming climate making months with below-average temperatures less common, the occurrence of significant but brief cold spells can still impact the monthly climate statistics. This serves as a reminder that even in a changing climate, winter cold snaps that affect large areas of the UK remain a possibility

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