A massive weather system is gearing up to crash into the UK, bringing a staggering 400-mile stretch of rain and snow straight from the Atlantic. According to WXCharts, which pulls data from Met Desk, the relentless downpour is set to hit the west coast on the evening of March 16, before sweeping across the country in the early hours of March 17.
The system is expected to drench nearly the entire UK, stretching from Scotland to the South Coast. Forecasts predict heavy rainfall, with as much as 15mm per hour falling throughout the day on March 17, setting the tone for a gloomy and sodden start to spring. Cities including Edinburgh, Manchester, Birmingham, Cardiff, and Plymouth are likely to see the worst of the downpour, though coastal areas won’t escape the soaking either.
More: Mid-March Snow Chaos – Up to 11cm Expected
Ahead of the rainstorm, March 14 looks particularly icy, with weather charts indicating that Scotland will be blanketed in snow. Freezing conditions could bring travel chaos to several cities, and further disruption is possible if the wintry spell lingers.
While uncertainty remains about how the weather will shift in the following week, the Met Office suggests that high pressure could briefly take over, bringing a drier spell – but don’t get too comfortable. Their long-range forecast from March 9 to 18 hints at the potential for a sharp drop in temperatures and even some wintery hazards.
The outlook for the latter half of March isn’t much better. According to the Met Office, conditions are expected to stay bleak with a mix of unsettled and settled periods. The west and northwest are likely to bear the brunt of the wet weather, while the southeast might get off slightly drier. As for temperatures, they’re leaning above average overall, but don’t rule out the odd cold snap as we head towards April.
Related: Millions to Be Hit by Sudden Arctic Blast in Days
So, if you were hoping for a pleasant start to spring, think again. The UK is in for a soggy few weeks – time to dig out the waterproofs and brace for the downpour!
