UK weather freezing arctic blast: Dates snow is forecast for Leeds this month as conditions to turn colder

BBC Weather is currently forecasting sleet and snow for Leeds towards the end of January (26, 27 and 28).

At the moment, it is currently too early to say for certain whether Leeds will see snow at the end of the month. The Met Office say pinpointing snowfall requires short-range analysis and confidence typically increases within a few days of an event.

However, the Met Office’s UK long-range weather forecast covering the period Tuesday January 20 to Thursday January 29 says: “Later in the period, there is an increased chance that conditions will turn colder. This aspect of the forecast is still somewhat uncertain but the potential transition to colder weather also increases the chance of snow across parts of the country.”

The forecast for the period Friday January 30 to Friday February 13 says: “Initially, slowly evolving weather patterns are most likely in the vicinity of the UK, with low pressure typically to the west or southwest and high pressure to the northeast. This configuration brings an increased chance of cold conditions affecting the UK, and the associated risk of wintry hazards at times.”

BBC Weather Leeds forecast

BBC Weather is forecasting sleet and a gentle breeze for Leeds on Monday January 26 and Tuesday January 27 and light snow and a gentle breeze on Wednesday January 28.

Met Office UK long-range forecast in full

Tuesday January 20 to Thursday January 29

“Throughout this period, the UK will see a battle between Atlantic weather systems attempting to arrive from the west while high pressure and colder conditions attempt to exert some influence from the east. Initially, milder Atlantic air is expected to dominate. This should maintain often cloudy, changeable conditions with showers or longer spells of rain for most. The wettest weather in western parts of the country, drier in the east. Temperatures overall likely to be around average with some night frosts in clearer areas. Later in the period, there is an increased chance that conditions will turn colder. This aspect of the forecast is still somewhat uncertain but the potential transition to colder weather also increases the chance of snow across parts of the country.”

Friday January 30 to Friday February 13

“Initially, slowly evolving weather patterns are most likely in the vicinity of the UK, with low pressure typically to the west or southwest and high pressure to the northeast. This configuration brings an increased chance of cold conditions affecting the UK, and the associated risk of wintry hazards at times. Deeper into February, and whilst confidence is naturally low, there may be a transition to more widely unsettled conditions and a corresponding recovery in temperature back closer to average.”

The three factors the Met Office considers when forecasting snow in the UK

According to the Met Office, meteorologists consider the following when forecasting snow:

Where the air has come from

If air has come from a warmer area, or has spent a long time over mild water, then it would be harder to generate snow. If the air is coming from a cold region, then there’s a chance of snow being a possibility.

Very heavy precipitation

Most precipitation in the clouds starts off as snow or supercooled raindrops, and often melts before it comes to ground. In winter, intense precipitation can keep temperatures lower closer to the ground, increasing the chance of heavy rainfall turning into snow.

When warm air meets cold air

Presenters often talk about weather fronts between warm and cold air. In the winter, these fronts can introduce the moisture and conditions for snow to fall.