UK weather: May snow storm forecast as 45 counties face 3 inch per hour blizzard

Millions of Brits could be set to shiver in surprise May flurries, with as many as 45 counties across , , and in line for a dusting.

GFSmodel maps suggest . According to the maps, the north of England and into will take the brunt of the . Northern Ireland is also expected to see some intense flurries. The data suggests snow could be falling at a rate of around three inches per hour in some locations on May 6.

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The maps show as many as 45 counties could experience some snow, while many more face the possibility of rain hitting too. The wintry conditions are expected first in Scotland in the early hours of May 6, hitting Glasgow and Edinburgh, before drifting southward.

By 6am, the maps show intense flurries over Northern Ireland. North Wales and northern parts of England, especially around the Pennines, can expect some snow around this time too. Snow is expected to continue in northern parts of England well into the evening, the data suggests.

The ’s long range forecast for April 30 to May 9 reads: “Fine, dry and very warm across the majority of the UK at the start of this period with long clear or sunny spells.

“However, it is expected to be cloudier in the far north with some rain at times. Some of this rain will likely spread southwards late next week before clearing to leave a mainly dry and sunny weekend, although with temperatures closer to normal than on preceding days.

“Into the following week, it will probably turn more changeable, with dry, settled periods interspersed with some spells of wetter . This will bring some showers or longer spells of rain at times, which could be heavy and thundery. Temperatures will probably be near normal.”

Next week’s conditions could barely be more different, as people can expect a new hottest day of the year set: David Oliver, a Met Office Deputy Chief Meteorologist, said: “Many can anticipate a very fine spell of weather with temperatures reaching 27C during the middle of the week.

“We are not expecting the April UK temperature record to be broken, but some locations may nudge local records. Often warm spells are driven by warmer air arriving from further south, but the origins of next week’s air are from Scandinavia and central Europe.

“This air mass will be warmed by compression as the high pressure begins to build, and this warmth will be boosted by daytime heating from the April sun.”

The highest recorded April temperature was in 1949 when Camden Square in London recorded 29.4C on 16 April.