New Weather Maps Show UK Storm Hitting 7 Cities

New weather maps indicate that a massive snow and rain storm will hit Britain, affecting seven major cities. A WX Charts map, generated today (March 17), predicts rain or snow in Plymouth, Cardiff, London, Birmingham, Manchester, Newcastle, and Belfast by midday on March 28.

Greater Manchester could experience up to 7mm of rainfall per hour, while Newcastle may see 2.5mm, Cardiff 1.5mm, and Birmingham 1mm, according to WX Charts data. If these forecasts hold, Belfast is expected to receive snowfall at a rate of 1cm per hour.

The same weather maps suggest that nearly the entire UK will experience rain or snow on March 28, with the exception of Scotland, which is expected to remain mostly clear. However, some rain is forecast for the Outer Hebrides and Orkney Islands.

A separate WX Charts map tracking minimum temperatures shows that the country will feel noticeably colder, with forecasts of 6°C in the Midlands, 3-4°C in Wales, 7°C in Cornwall, and just 2°C in Scotland at midday on March 28.

This shift will be a sharp contrast to the unseasonably warm weather expected this week, with some parts of the UK predicted to be hotter than holiday destinations like Corfu and Ibiza on the first day of spring.

Temperatures in southern England could reach 19°C on Thursday (March 20), the day of the spring equinox. Met Office meteorologist Becky Mitchell noted that this is eight degrees above the seasonal average.

“We’re expecting plenty of dry weather with increasing sunshine over the next few days,” Mitchell said. “By Wednesday, highs could reach around 17°C in the south, and by Thursday, we may see temperatures as warm as 19°C.”

These temperatures are expected to exceed Ibiza’s forecasted high of 17°C and Corfu’s 16°C on Thursday.

While this week will bring milder conditions, Mitchell cautioned that the early part of the week may still feel chilly, with some overnight frost.

According to the Met Office, the warmth is due to a large area of high pressure.

“The warmest spots on Wednesday will be the South East and the Midlands,” Mitchell explained. “By Thursday, the warmth will spread further north, making it feel quite warm across southern Scotland, Northern Ireland, and all of England and Wales. Only northern Scotland will continue to experience colder conditions midweek.”