Met Office UK weather: Snow and strong winds could bring ...

Snow and sub-zero temperatures continue to loom for the UK and could come "later rather than sooner" according to some forecasters.

The Met Office predicts in its long range forecast that wintry conditions could return to Britain, which "may be disruptive due to the potential combination of snow and strong winds" in the second half of next month.

There has been plenty of speculation that the recent sudden stratospheric warming (SSW) pattern in the atmosphere, which happened on February 16, could bring more heavy snow similar to the phenomenon which saw the arrival of the 'Beast from the East' in 2018, the Mirror reports.

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This was initially expected for the end of February as the weather has remained milder than expected as the month draws to a close, with ice and snow largely confined to areas in the far north where they are seasonally typical. Some now say a cold snap could be on the way in the next few weeks, with the Met Office now saying snow is "likely" towards the end of March.

Jim Dale, senior meteorologist for British Weather Services, said: "Every day it backs off eastwards due the the Omega (blocking) to our west. For now and the next 10 days that’s the winner. I still fancy something will give but it’s now later rather than sooner."

Some cold weather is also forecast this week, with Met Office forecaster Aidan McGivern saying there was "the potential for a snow shower or two in the far south" until today (Tuesday, February 28) although much of the country is expected to remain dry.

Commenting on the SSW, Mr McGivern said it "doesn’t always mean colder weather" but "it does increase the chances", adding that it "doesn’t definitely mean we are going to see some widespread problems.”

READ MORE: Met Office says 'disruptive' snow and wind could arrive next month amid 'Beast from the East' claims

Today: A bright and sunny start especially towards Devon and Cornwall, however cloud building during the morning limiting the amount of sunshine come the afternoon. A few light showers are also possible, especially in the east. Feeling chilly in the breeze. Maximum temperature 10 °C.

Tonight: Staying rather cloudy with further scattered light showers. Showers will ease by dawn, with clearer skies developing in places allowing for a touch of frost. Breezy along the southern coasts. Minimum temperature 0 °C.

Wednesday: Little change on Wednesday with variable but often large amounts of cloud. Dry for many on Wednesday, but still the risk of the odd light shower in the east. Maximum temperature 9 °C.

Outlook for Thursday to Saturday: High pressure will keep many areas dry, albeit often rather cloudy, into the weekend. Sunny intervals at times, with overnight frosts possible under any prolonged clear spells. Feeling rather chilly.

S aturday 4 Mar - Monday 13 Mar

The most likely scenario for Saturday is of a band of fragmented slight showers making some progress into the far northeast of the UK. Ahead of this a continuation of cloudy and cold conditions is most likely, with a few coastal showers. There is reduced confidence heading into the rest of the period, although the preferred scenario is that the UK will see a continuation of dominant high pressure, bringing large amounts of settled weather. Colder air may ingress into northern and eastern areas at times, perhaps bringing wintry showers, with a low probability that these snow showers may become more widespread. Later in the period there is an increasing chance of it turning more unsettled, possibly bringing snow at times. Temperatures likely to be generally below average.

Tuesday 14 Mar - Tuesday 28 Mar

Confidence becomes very low for this period. However, the preferred scenario is that blocking high pressure will remain mostly dominant, increasing the probability of colder conditions compared to average. Spells of rain are more likely than of late, especially at first, with a chance of snow in some areas. Some wintry episodes may be disruptive due to the potential combination of snow and strong winds.

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