Chances of snow next week are increasing

Date published: 10 January 2024


High pressure will be firmly in charge today (Thursday) and Friday like it has been most of this week but it's been a mostly cloudy high with only Tuesday the day offering some decent amounts of sunshine, according to local weather expert Jon Baylis.

As we enter next week it looks like a battle will commence.

Cold air with snow showers from the north vs. milder air from the south-west bringing rain, preceded by snow.

It’s starting to look like the rain-bearing fronts will push in from the south-west midweek, which could lead to a snow-event as it bumps into the cold air, especially on its leading edge.

It's one to watch for sure.

So as you can gather, next week looks a lot more complex than this week has been.

This week being dominated by high pressure means it can be easy to predict plenty of dry weather although predicting cloud amounts and where those breaks appear can be a challenge.

Even a large high can be cloudy and have cloud thick enough for drizzle.

Predicting that isn't easy either.

So will it snow next week?

The chances are increasing and certainly more precipitation seems to be in the mix and when we have cold air in place at this time of the year, snow cannot be ruled out.

So, watch out for updates on X.

Here's Jon forecast for the next few days:

Today (Thursday): Mostly cloudy with a few breaks here and there and also the odd patch of drizzle. Cool. 

Max 6°C Min 3°C.

Friday: Still cloudy but the cloud should not be as thick so drizzle unlikely and more bright spells possible.

Lighter winds and a little cooler. 

Max 5°C Min 1°C.

Weekend: Colder air is coming.

Saturday: Another cloudy day and with westerly winds some patchy rain or drizzle could return, especially later in the day. 

Max 6°C Min 2°C.

Sunday: Little change initially with cloudy skies and areas of drizzle.

Later in the day the winds will turn more northerly or north-westerly and allow colder,

Arctic air to filter south behind cold fronts.

Frosty overnight as skies clear. 

Max 6°C Min -1°C.

Outlook: Sunny and cold to start with a few wintry showers on Tuesday.

Wednesday could well see sleet and snow push up from the southwest.

Where the low pressure tracks will determine how the weather pans out for the remainder of the week and of course which areas will see snow.

Follow @ChadWeather on X for the latest forecasts and warnings.


Do you have a story for us? Want to tell us about something going on in and around Oldham? Let us know by emailing news@oldham-chronicle.co.uk , calling our Oldham-based newsroom on 0161 633 2121 , tweeting us @oldhamchronicle or messaging us through our Facebook page. All contact will be treated in confidence.