UK May Experience Wintry Weather in March, With Colder Temperatures and Even Snowfall

If current forecasts are correct, Somerset will see sleet, snow, and sub-zero temperatures.

There has been much speculation in recent weeks about whether a recent weather event, which brought the Beast from the East to the UK in 2018, could lead to freezing conditions and Arctic temperatures.

On February 16, a major sudden stratospheric warming (SSW) event occurred, and while this caused extreme weather five years ago, the snow did not fall after similar weather events in 2019 or January 2023.

'Beast from the East' risk

(Photo : Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images)

The UK has experienced a mix of cold and mild temperatures in recent weeks, but temperatures are expected to drop further in the coming weeks, according to long-term forecasts, as per SomersetLive.

While the Met Office predicts snow in the north and east from March 4 to March 13, it also predicted wintry weather could cause 'disruption' until March 28, with BBC Weather forecasting snow in Taunton and other parts of the county next month today, February 28.

The Met Office has already stated that it is difficult to predict the weather two weeks in advance with any certainty, but the most recent graphics from WX Charts show snow could arrive in the UK - and even parts of the South West - as early as March 6.

The likelihood of this occurring is unknown.

The BBC predicted highs of 8 degrees Celsius in Taunton today, tomorrow, Thursday, and Friday, with overnight temperatures dropping to -1 degrees Celsius on Thursday and Friday.

Sleet is expected to fall around 6 p.m. on Sunday, March 5, with light snow expected from 2 a.m. on Tuesday, March 7, to 9 a.m. the next day, with temperatures as low as -2 C.

From Thursday, there is also a chance of more light snow and sleet, as well as sunny spells, March 9.

Temperatures will be similar on the other side of the county in Yeovil during that time, with light snow expected from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. on Wednesday, March 8.

The following day, Thursday, March 9, is expected to see a mix of sleet, snow, and rain showers.

The most likely scenario for Saturday is a band of fragmented light showers moving into the far northeast of the United Kingdom.

A continuation of cloudy and cold conditions is expected, with a few coastal showers.

There is less optimism for the rest of the period, though the preferred scenario is that dominant high pressure continues to dominate the UK, bringing large amounts of settled weather.

Colder air may infiltrate into northern and eastern areas at times, possibly bringing wintry showers, with a low likelihood of these snow showers becoming more widespread.

Later in the period, there is a greater likelihood of it becoming more unsettled, possibly bringing snow at times.

Also Read: UK Weather Update: Polar Vortex Snow and Blizzard Warnings Clarified by the Met Office This Week With 5-Day Forecast

Spell Of Wintry Weather In March

Next week, a "highly amplified" jet stream, combined with a low-pressure area over the Mid-North Atlantic, is expected to push air up into Greenland and then back down towards the UK, as per Sky News.

If the weather pattern continues as predicted by Met Office meteorologists, snow could fall in parts of northern and eastern England.

Changes in the pattern, while considered "less likely," could bring cold air and snow across larger parts of the country, or in from the west of the UK, making it less winter-like.

It loops around this low pressure and then pushes all the way back to the north of the high pressure developing over Greenland, allowing the colder weather to push into the north of the UK by the end of Saturday.

Though changes could occur and change the pattern, he stated that the Met Office believed the cold air would be pushed into the north and east of the UK.

As this occurs, low pressure from the south and west is expected to push in and mix with cold from the north and east, resulting in some disruptive snow in places by the start of next week.

Temperatures will be below average overall, but will gradually rise throughout the period, according to the Met Office.

However, its long-term forecast indicates that late-season wintry showers are "expected" across the country.

Rain and strong winds are expected in the south, with rain becoming heavy at times, according to the forecast.

Despite this, the Met Office does not expect the weather to be as dramatic as it was in 2018, when ice-cold winds from Arctic Siberia created "The Beast From The East," a snowstorm.

Related article: UK Weather Forecast: Beast of the East Will Hit This Week After Storm Otto Left Thousands of Residents Without Power