The skies above the UK are set to be transformed into a ‘battleground’ between Atlantic lows from the west, and high pressure to the east

BBC weather forecaster Carol Kirkwood offered hope for snow lovers (Image: Screengrab/BBC)

BBC Weather forecaster Carol Kirkwood has said the UK will likely be “talking about snow” next week as a mini ‘beast from the east’ edges its way towards Scotland. While the remainder of this week is set to be unsettled, things will take a colder turn over the weekend and into next week.

Snow is already forecast on higher ground in Scotland this week, but weather maps suggest it will become more widespread as we move towards the end of January. The remainder of this week is set to be dominated by mild air, but with the threat of heavy rain and strong winds.

A 48-hour weather warning for rain is in place for parts of northern Scotland on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, with up to 12cm expected to fall in some parts, while gale-force winds are also possible. From Friday onwards, more settled but cooler air from the east will start to take over, with weather charts showing it edging its way toward the British Isles

According to Highland-born Kirkwood, it is “going to turn colder this weekend”. Explaining what was happening, she told BBC Breakfast viewers: “We continue with the mild air through to Thursday, then we start seeing something colder coming into the north on Friday.

“That moves a little further south on Saturday, then by the time we get to Sunday, we’re all going to be in that colder air and next week, we may even be talking about snow.” The forecaster suggested the mass of air was “one we are keeping a very close eye on” as we move into next week.

According to the Met Office, the cooler air will block Atlantic lows from dominating, turning the skies above the UK into a “battleground”. Its forecast for the period between Saturday, January 24 and Monday, February 2 reads: “The UK will likely continue to sit in the battleground between Atlantic weather systems attempting to push in from the west, but tending to stall in the vicinity of the UK as they encounter high pressure to the north and northeast.”

Weather maps show cold air from the east edging out warmer air to the west(Image: WXCharts)

This will lead to spells of rain, which could be heavy and persistent at times, although Scotland will see the best of any drier interludes. The forecast adds: “Whilst mild conditions will encroach into the south and west at times, it is likely to turn somewhat colder through this period, bringing the risk of some snow, more especially on hills in Scotland and northern England.”

James Madden at Exacta Weather said there was a “high-confidence” and “widespread snow expectations” heading into next week.