Met Office respond to 'snow bomb' reports

Forecasters have issued several weather warnings over recent weeks for snow, ice, wind and rain with plenty of speculation of a White Easter.

Some long-range forecasts suggest a 270-mile snow bomb is on course to hit parts of the UK at the end of March.

However, Met Office forecasters have dismissed these claims.

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Most of the UK saw some snow in February

Met Office spokeswoman Nicola Maxey told us: "A number of media outlets are currently running stories suggesting the possibility of snow.

"However, there appears to be no meteorological basis for this.

"The Met Office’s long-range guidance suggests that during the middle of March unsettled conditions look likely to continue across the UK, with spells of rain and showers but also some drier and brighter interludes at times especially in the south."

The recent reports claimed the start of March would be dominated by freezing temperatures and polar winds, which could also bring widespread wintry showers.

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The UK faced several weather warnings prior to the reports but according to the Met Office's latest forecast, the "ice blast" will have dissipated and the winds will have died down during the week.

Ms Maxey added: "Into the latter part of March unsettled conditions perhaps becoming more confined to the north and west, with the south and east seeing more settled conditions.

"Temperatures are most likely to remain near to or slightly above average, with any colder intervals from the north short lived.

"With regards to Easter, this is over four weeks away and it’s not possible to be too specific about forecasts this far out."

The latest weather charts show no storm is on the way. Image: WXCHARTS

Below is their latest forecast predicting a mild week overall with temperatures as high as 16 degrees in London and the South.

What is a weather bomb? The Met Office explain:

A 'weather bomb' is an unofficial term for a low pressure system whose central pressure falls 24 millibars in 24 hours in a process known as explosive cyclogenesis.

Rapid acceleration of air caused by the jet stream high up in the atmosphere can remove air from the column, reducing its weight so causing pressure to fall at sea level.

This in turn sucks in air which converges from surrounding regions resulting in faster and faster rotation of the circulation, in the same way that ice skaters spin faster by drawing their arms in.

Here's the latest view from space 🛰️
There are clear skies and ☀️ #sunshine across sheltered parts of the north and west. Elsewhere a blanket of ☁️ low cloud has brought many a dull and chilly 📉 start to Tuesday pic.twitter.com/EkEVaUMkJJ

— Met Office (@metoffice) March 2, 2021

The resulting winds peak over a period of a few hours and can be strong enough to bring down trees and cause structural damage.

Weekend forecast for London & the South East

Friday:

After a cold and frosty start, plenty of sunshine through the morning. Cloud bubbling up though, perhaps giving a very isolated afternoon shower.

Feeling chilly but with generally light winds. Maximum temperature 8C.

Outlook for Saturday to Monday:

Staying fine this weekend with cold and frosty nights, followed by dry days with some sunshine, especially during the mornings.

Rather cloudy on Monday but probably staying mainly dry.

UK long range weather forecast

Tuesday 9 Mar - Thursday 18 Mar

Outbreaks of heavier rain will make their way in from the west on Tuesday, as a trend towards more unsettled conditions widely across the UK is likely next week.

Further spells of rain and showers will continue spreading in from the west, with some snow possible on high ground in northern parts of the country.

However, there may also be some drier and brighter interludes at times.

Throughout this period there is an ongoing potential for windy conditions, with the strongest winds most likely to occur in the west and northwest of the UK.

Temperatures are expected to trend close to average, although some overnight frosts are still possible, mainly in northern parts of the country.