UK heavy snow 'this weekend' could see three major cities in England hit

The UK faces heavy snow "as early as this weekend" as the country experiences plunging temperatures with the mercury dropping. The UK's weather maps, as projected by WX Charts, using Met Desk data, shows the downturn in conditions as we head deeper into mid-November and eventually December and Christmas.

Maps for the UK show the country is set for snow this weekend as icy temperatures look set to combine with a northerly airflow to blanket the country. A Met Office forecast said: "Frequent wintry showers are expected, mainly in the north and along eastern and western coasts where exposed to the strong north to northwesterly flow.

"Snow is likely to fall to low levels, especially in the north. Many inland areas may be largely dry with lengthy sunny spells, especially where sheltered from the flow." Maps show Edinburgh, Aberdeen, Manchester, Leeds and Newcastle are at risk.

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Met Office forecaster Alex Deakin said: "Cold air will be flooding its way south over Saturday night. By the time we get to the early hours of Sunday morning, much of Scotland will be covered in freezing levels where ground is only at 400m."

Deputy Chief Meteorologist Mark Sidaway added: "The high pressure that has been responsible for the mainly dry weather through much of this week will retrogress into the Atlantic as we get towards the weekend. This will gradually introduce more unsettled weather, initially in the north from Friday but more widely from Sunday.

"In addition to this increased rainfall, which could be heavy at times on Sunday, temperatures will also drop, especially for those in Scotland, as a northerly airflow develops, bringing colder Arctic air to some northern areas. This shift does introduce the possibility of snow, initially over high ground in the north from Sunday, with gusty winds also a potential hazard.

"Warnings for winter hazards are possible later in the weekend, so it’s important to stay up to date with the latest forecast."