The UK is set to see more snow in the coming week, the Met Office has confirmed.
Its long-range forecast said that snow is expected, but that it will most likely be isolated to high ground in the north of the country.
The Met Office played down reports that a large flurry of snow is forecast to hit the UK at the end of this month.
Citing data from online forecast compiler WXCharts, The Mirror reported that snow could fall on cities such as Birmingham, Manchester, Bristol and Leeds on Sunday 30 November.
However, the Met Office told Yahoo News UK: “Different simulations produce different pictures of the weather forecast and one-off, single charts do not provide the broader forecasting picture.
“The actual forecast is developed using a mix of hundreds of computer model simulations. Our expert forecasters are aware of the intricacies of different weather simulations and, crucially, know which ones to refer to and when.”
The Met Office issued a series of yellow weather warnings last week as much of the UK was covered in snow, with November’s lowest temperature in 15 years of -12.6C recorded in Tomintoul in Moray, Scotland.
After a wet Saturday across the UK, this week will see much warmer temperatures, with many places reaches double figures on Thursday and Friday.
A Met Office spokesperson told Yahoo News UK on Monday: “In terms of temperatures this week, it’ll feel chilly today, with temperatures getting mild mid-week and towards Friday.”
In its long-range forecast for Friday 28 November to Sunday 7 December, the Met Office said: “Changeable and unsettled conditions are expected across the UK during this period.
“Low pressure systems will tend to dominate meaning showers or longer spells of rain for much of the UK. Some heavy rain or showers are expected, most often in the west, although with a risk some of this could spread to other areas at times. Snow will probably be confined to high ground in the north.”
While there may be snow in high regions, temperatures will be around average or slightly above.
Why is it tricky to forecast snow accurately?
The Met Office said forecasters examine three factors when predicting snow – where the air has come from, very heavy precipitation, and when warm air meets cold air.
Because of this range of indicators, it says predicting snow in the UK “can be one of the trickier forecasts to do accurately”.
The Met Office said: “Because of the UK’s location, where the air comes from is incredibly important when it comes to determining if snow is possible.
A snow plough on the A169 between Pickering and Whitby on the North York Moors on 20 November. (PA)
“Being surrounded by water also adds another factor into predicting snow chances in the UK, it may not feel like it if you dip your toe in, but the water in the seas around the UK is well above freezing and that affects the temperature of the air close to the surface, which can determine how much snow is in the forecast.”
Because of the need for all three factors to align, the Met Office needs a significant amount of data, which means it can only really predict snow a few days in the future.
This is because even if they’re sure on two of the three factors happening a week in advance, one could still be uncertain and without all three the chance of snow would still be effectively unknown.
Yahoo breaks down what the weather will be like this week for each region of the UK, according to the Met Office.
London and the South East
Any early brightness giving way to largely cloudy conditions, along with patchy rain or drizzle. Light winds this morning, but strengthening northerly winds by late afternoon will make it feel rather cold, particularly near exposed coasts. Maximum temperature 8°C.
Variable amounts of cloud on Tuesday, but widely dry through the day. Still feeling rather chilly, though winds a little lighter than on Monday. Maximum temperature 8°C.
A early morning misty winter landscape view with clear blue sky in Richmond Park in the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames. (Getty Images)
Chance of overnight frost and fog into Wednesday, perhaps slow to clear. Cloud and patchy rain spreads east overnight. Breezier and much milder Thursday and Friday with occasional rain.
South West
A cloudy, wet and windy start as a band of rain sinks southwards through the morning. Some bright and drier spells through the afternoon as cloud breaks up. However, showers continue for Cornwall. Feeling cold in the brisk northerly winds. Maximum temperature 11°C.
A bright start to Tuesday in the east, with showers fading in the west as high pressure moves in. A widely fine day, with sunny intervals and light winds. Frost likely overnight. Maximum temperature 9°C.
A man walks along the Esplanade on a grey blustery wet day on 22 November in Ventnor, Isle of Wight. (Getty Images)
Turning milder and changeable from Wednesday, as bands of rain move in from the west bringing unsettled conditions. Winds picking up towards the weekend with blustery showers possible.
Midlands
A cloudy and wet start for most, as bands of rain sink southwards through the morning. Dry and brighter spells becoming more prevalent through the afternoon, though the odd shower remains possible. Feeling colder in the brisk northerly winds. Maximum temperature 8°C.
A bright and dry start to Tuesday, as high pressure moves in bringing settled conditions, with light winds. Feeling pleasant in prolong sunny intervals. Under clear skies overnight, frost likely to form. Maximum temperature 7°C.
Turning milder and changeable from Wednesday as bands of rain move in from the west, bringing unsettled conditions. Winds picking up towards the weekend with blustery showers possible.
North East
Largely cloudy on Monday with showers or longer spells of rain. However, occasional brighter intervals are still expected at times, especially during the afternoon. Feeling cold in the brisk north to north-easterly winds, particularly along the coast. Maximum temperature 7°C.
Showers continuing overnight, these locally heavy and perhaps wintry in some upland areas. Becoming widely chilly by the morning with a frost likely for many western parts. Minimum temperature 0°C.
Scattered showers and variable cloud on Tuesday, although showers becoming increasingly confined to coastal fringes through the day as winds ease. Temperatures still below average for the time of year. Maximum temperature 6°C.
Cloud and patchy rain spreads east on Wednesday after a clear, frosty start. Breezier and much milder Thursday and Friday with occasional periods of rain.
Swans are treated to a golden sunset on a pool in Kidderminster, Worcestershire, on Sunday. (Alamy)
North West
A cloudy, wet and windy start for most, as bands of rain sink southwards through the morning. Some brighter spells through the afternoon, with occasional showers feeding in from the northeast. Feeling colder in the brisk northerly winds. Maximum temperature 8°C.
A largely fine and settled day on Tuesday, with light winds. Feeling pleasant in any prolonged spells of sunshine, though the odd light shower remains possible in the east. Frost reforming overnight. Maximum temperature 8°C.
From Wednesday, turning milder and unsettled, as bands of rain move in from the west. Winds picking up towards the weekend with blustery showers possible.
Scotland
It will be cloudy with showers or some longer spells of rain for Angus and east Fife. Central and west Fife seeing some shelter from showers. Gradually becoming drier through the afternoon. Cold northeasterly wind. Maximum temperature 7°C.
A few showers and blustery winds around the coast in the evening. Otherwise dry with clear intervals developing allowing some rural frost to develop. Minimum temperature 0°C.
Tuesday will be dry and bright with good spells of sunshine but feeling colder than Monday. Maximum temperature 5°C.
Cloudy and turning milder on Wednesday and Thursday, and staying mostly dry in east with some rain in west. Mostly dry and breezy on Friday, chance of the odd shower.
Storm clouds over Fenland fields near Wisbech town, Cambridgeshire. (Getty Images)
Northern Ireland
It will be a mainly dry day with bright or sunny spells, but turning chillier in the afternoon. There may be the odd shower, most likely around the north. Breezy at times, especially around the coast. Maximum temperature 9°C.
Clear intervals and scattered showers continue through the evening. Showers become less frequent through the night. Cold northerly winds, breezy at first and easing overnight. Minimum temperature 0°C.
Tuesday will be dry and bright with good spells of sunshine but feeling a little coolder than Monday. Maximum temperature 8°C.
Cloudy on Wednesday and Thursday with rain and strong winds at times, but turning milder. Bright spells and showers on Friday. Strengthening southwest winds around the coast from Thursday evening.
Wales
Cloudy and wet to start on Monday as bands of rain push southeastwards. Turning drier in the east with brighter spells through the afternoon, though showers continue to feed into the west. Feeling cold in the brisk northerly winds. Maximum temperature 9°C.
A bright start on Tuesday in the east, with showers continuing to fade in the west as high pressure builds. A widely fine day, with sunny intervals and light winds. Frost overnight. Maximum temperature 9°C.
Turning milder and changeable from Wednesday, as bands of rain move in from the west bringing unsettled conditions. Winds picking up towards the weekend with blustery showers possible.
