UK Braces for Icelandic Storm Bringing Snow and Heavy Rain in Late April

The UK is set to face an ‘Icelandic storm‘ as a significant low-pressure system, originating off the south coast of Greenland and passing east towards Iceland, is predicted to impact the country by the end of the upcoming weekend. Weather maps indicate that the system will make landfall in the north of England by Saturday, April 27, bringing a mix of heavy rain and potential snowfall.

The forecast suggests that the storm will begin affecting Northern Ireland, Wales, northwest England, and western Scotland around midday on Saturday, with intense rainfall expected. In some regions, up to 1cm of rain could fall each hour, creating challenging conditions. By Sunday, the core of the storm is expected to be centered between Northern Ireland and Scotland, where more than 4cm of snow per hour could accumulate in central Scotland, according to reports from the Mirror.

As the evening progresses, the possibility of snow extends into central Wales and the northwest of England. Weather analysis from WXCharts also shows that by Monday, April 29, the storm will have moved past southwest England and out into the Atlantic Ocean.

The Met Office’s long-range forecast from Thursday, April 25, to Saturday, May 4, anticipates a shift in conditions from drier early in the week to increasingly unsettled weather as the low-pressure system becomes dominant. This transition is expected to bring wetter weather, particularly to southern and eastern parts of the UK, while western and northern areas may experience the last of the drier intervals.

Temperatures during this period are likely to feel colder due to onshore winds, particularly along eastern coasts, with conditions across the UK averaging slightly below normal for this time of year. As we move into early May, forecasts suggest a possible north-south split, with drier conditions prevailing in the north and higher chances of rain in the south.

In the days leading up to this change, the UK is expected to enjoy relatively calm weather, albeit with a noticeable chill in the air due to persistent breezes. The East of England, in particular, is forecast to experience light rain with temperatures around the usual averages for late April. This upcoming ‘Icelandic storm’ promises to mark a significant shift in the weather pattern, bringing potentially disruptive weather conditions to parts of the UK.