What the Met Office says about snow in Scotland as ‘Beast from the East’ sparks ‘chaos’ fears
Scotland is bracing itself for the possibility of round two of ‘Beast from the East’ with forecasters warning that heavy snow may be on the horizon as the month progresses.
The UK was hit by freezing air and heavy snowfall in 2018, prompting the Met Office to issue a rare red weather alert. Conditions may not be as severe this time, but James Madden of Exacta Weather identified a seven-day window when the country is set for a "very snowy period" and ominously suggested the Beast from the East is "waking".
Madden pinpointed February 8 to February 15 as the period when heavy snow is expected to hit, which threatens massive disruption for commuters.
READ MORE: Mum who eats 5,000 calories of meat and butter a day says it's helped with weight loss
READ MORE: Coronation Street star looks unrecognisable as they debut new look after soap death
Backing up the prospect of a cold snap ahead, Frank Saunders, Met Office Chief Meteorologist, said: “There’s a good chance the UK will experience a dip in temperatures at the weekend and into next week.
"High-pressure is set to move in, bringing along with it easterly winds, low temperatures and an increasing risk of wintry hazards like snow and ice."
So, what are the chances of snow in your area?
Weather maps from WX Charts show the mercury plunging as a huge weather front approaches the UK from Europe. A massive blizzard is set to hit Scottish shores from the east on Monday, February 10.
The charts forecast snowfall across Scotland on February 14, with significant accumulations expected in central and eastern parts of the country. While heavier snowfall is likely in higher elevations, lower-lying areas could also see some accumulation.
It will first make landfall in East Anglia and will move up the UK, hitting southern Scotland that evening. By the following day at noon, the most snow is expected around the Scotland-England border, where as much as 22cm (almost nine inches) could be settled on the ground.
The Highlands could see as much as 14cm (more than five inches) in some areas. Sub-zero temperatures are expected across most of Scotland for several days as the weather front makes its way across the country.
The Met Office added forecasters will know more as the week goes on so it’s worth keeping up-to-date with the forecast in your part of the country.
In the meantime, a yellow weather warning for rain is in effect for more places than it initially was. The alert began at 9pm last night, Monday, February 3, and is due to subside at 1pm today, Tuesday, February 4.
Five flood warnings and four flood alerts are in place. The alerts cover Ayrshire and Arran, the Central Belt, Dumfries and Galloway, Tayside, and West Central Scotland. The warnings cover Aberfoyle, Innerpeffray to Bridge of Earn, Carse of Lennoch to Lochlane, and Crieff to Innerpeffray.
Rain warning - regions and local authorities affected
Central, Tayside & Fife
Stirling
SW Scotland, Lothian Borders
Dumfries and Galloway
Strathclyde
Argyll and Bute
East Ayrshire
East Dunbartonshire
East Renfrewshire
Glasgow
Inverclyde
North Ayrshire
Renfrewshire
South Ayrshire
South Lanarkshire
West Dunbartonshire
Don't miss the latest news from around Scotland and beyond - Sign up to our newsletter here .
