An unexpected cold snap could bring snow to 27 cities across the UK, including London. Weather forecasts indicate that snowfall is likely to begin in the far north of Scotland on the evening of May 1 and then move southward, reaching the south coast of England.
According to the ECMWF weather model, snow is expected to start falling in Scotland and parts of northern England around 6pm on May 1. Cities such as Aberdeen, Dundee, and Newcastle are predicted to experience snow before it progresses southward.
By 6am on May 2, snow is forecasted to impact Northern Ireland and coastal areas in Wales, with the north-west of England also seeing flurries. The possibility of snow reaching Brighton in the south is also mentioned.
The maps suggest that by midday on May 2, Yorkshire, the Midlands, and the south-west of England may witness snow, with the east coast of England likely to be affected as well.
London could experience light snow flurries by 6pm, with the heaviest snowfall expected in Gloucestershire and southern parts of Scotland at that time. The snow is anticipated to move away from the UK towards the east by the evening, with only sparse flurries shown in East Anglia and the north of Scotland by midnight on May 2.
Overall, the snow is projected to fall over a 30-hour period, potentially affecting 27 cities as per the ECMWF model. The Met Office has mentioned the possibility of “wintry” showers at the end of April and the beginning of May, with varied weather conditions expected across the UK during this period.