‘Beast from the East’-style storm to bring heavy snow to UK in February

New weather forecast maps have shown an intense storm from the Atlantic that is set to bring blizzards to the UK in mid-February.

The storm, which could unleash significant snowfall, is expected to hit much of the country on the weekend of February 15-16, with some areas, especially in the Scottish Highlands, facing up to 12cm of snow per hour.

WXCharts' projections indicate a massive wave of snow, marked in purple on new maps, advancing towards the UK.

This late winter weather system is expected to create a blanket of snow, with the heaviest falls predicted for the northern and western parts of the country.

Along with snow, heavy rain may affect parts of Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, bringing further disruption.

The Met Office’s longer-range forecast for the same period also predicts brief spells of colder weather, with some areas potentially experiencing frost and fog.

The weather will likely be unsettled, with brief drier spells expected across the south and southeast, while the north and northwest are bracing for more wet and windy conditions.

For the weekend of February 10-11, weather maps forecast a "Beast from the East"-like event, with snow beginning to fall in East Anglia around midday on February 10.

By the evening, snow is expected to spread across much of the country, with the heaviest falls in the south-west, northern England, and parts of Wales.

Snowfall is expected to intensify in Scotland, where up to 22cm (almost nine inches) of snow could settle along the Scotland-England border.

The snowstorm could bring travel disruptions, especially in the north, where snow may accumulate at a rate of 3cm per hour.

A staggering 95% of the UK is expected to be covered by snow, which will also affect the major cities. As the storm progresses, temperatures will likely drop, prompting officials to advise the public to prepare for potentially hazardous travel conditions.

In addition, weather forecasters are monitoring the potential for some areas to experience colder spells, particularly between weather systems, with a chance of overnight frost across southern regions. The current trend suggests milder conditions in the north but further colder weather in the coming days.

With the storm predicted to affect major holidays like Valentine's Day, it is expected to cause disruptions for couples planning to enjoy the weekend, especially in outdoor locations.

The Met Office's current weather forecast for the first part of February indicates periods of drier, settled weather, particularly in the south. However, as the snowstorm approaches, the situation is expected to change rapidly, with temperatures plunging as blizzard conditions intensify.