UK Weather: Met Office forecast Storm Darcy to batter Brits with ’30cm of snow’

Brits are bracing for up to 20 inches of snow in a 40-hour storm, according to the latest Met Office forecast.

The snowstorm, which is set to bring some of the worst blizzards since Beast from the East in 2018, could lead to 30cm of the white stuff hitting homes.

A yellow weather warning for snow covers the length of the UK, and an amber weather alert is in place from early Sunday morning.

Britain is set to be engulfed in snowfall as a low pressure system also brings strong winds and widespread weather chaos across south east England this weekend.

Essex, Kent, Norfolk and Suffolk are included in the more severe amber weather warning.

Roads could become blocked and vehicles and passengers may be stranded with deep snow.

Public Health England also issued a cold weather alert for all of England from Sunday through to Wednesday.

Dr Owen Landeg, of PHE, said: “Cold weather isn’t just uncomfortable, it can have a serious impact on health.

“For older people and those with heart and lung problems, it can increase the risks of heart attacks, strokes and chest infections.

“So it’s really crucial at this time, especially ahead of a potentially very cold snap, to remember to check on frail or older neighbours or relatives, especially those living alone or who have serious illnesses.”

The icy blast is set to last until middle of next week, and councils are dispatching gritters to combat the sub-zero temperatures on the roads and pavements.

Scotland and the north east of England could see between 2cm and 5cm of snow, and up to 15cm is possible in regions above 200m.

Heavy snow is expected in the southern parts of the country, as well as gales of 50mph, says the Met Office.

It will also feel “bitterly cold” as the strong winds from Ukraine and the Black Sea sweep across the country.

Met Office Chief Meteorologist, Andy Page, said: “The UK is in for a notably cold and snowy period over the next week, with very cold air in place over the whole of the UK by Sunday.

“Showers will see snow accumulating across eastern areas. Within the amber warning area, more widespread snow is expected and we could see 5-10 cm of snow quite widely, with a chance that a few places could see as much as 15-20 cm. 

Find out what the weather is like where you are in the interactive tool below:

“With such severe weather around it’s important to keep up to date with the latest forecast.”

Kent could see the worst of the wintry weather, with as much as 30cm of snow falling today.

On Sunday, unsettled and overcast weather will see outbreaks of snow, mostly in the northern and eastern areas.

Blizzards threaten to batter the east of England but western UK will remain dry with overcast skies.