Storm Malik UK: heavy snow and 80mph gales forecast as Met Office issues weekend weather warning

Storm Malik is forecast to bring strong winds to much of Scotland, Northern Ireland and parts of northern England
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Severe gales and freezing temperatures are forecast to hit the UK this weekend, with snow expected to fall on Sunday.

The unsettled weather comes as a low pressure system, named Storm Malik by the Danish Meteorological Institute, will bring high winds to northern parts of the country from Saturday.

Snowfall is expected to fall in northern parts of the UK on Sunday (Photo: Getty Images)Snowfall is expected to fall in northern parts of the UK on Sunday (Photo: Getty Images)
Snowfall is expected to fall in northern parts of the UK on Sunday (Photo: Getty Images)
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The Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning for wind for parts of Scotland, the North of England, East Midlands and Wales, with the alert in place from Saturday 29 to Monday 31 January.

Storm Malik is forecast to bring strong winds to much of Scotland, Northern Ireland and parts of northern England.

The strongest gales are forecast to hit coastal areas and the hills, with exposed locations expected to see gusts of up to 80mph, while some inland areas could be hit by 70mph winds.

Met Office Chief Meteorologist Paul Gundersen said: “The impacts of Storm Malik are going to be greatest in Denmark on Sunday, but the track of the storm in the preceding hours means that the UK will be dealt a glancing blow as Malik moves eastwards on Saturday.

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“For those in the north of the UK there will be high winds and rain on Saturday, with showers possibly turning wintry in the high ground in the north.

“The highest winds are expected in exposed coastal areas in the north and east of Scotland, but it will be a windy day for most.”

When will snow fall in the UK?

Temperatures are also expected to plummet as low as -5C over the weekend, with the wintry conditions forecast to bring snowfall to some parts of the country.

Snowfall is expected to fall in northern parts on Sunday, particularly over the hills, as Storm Malik kicks off an unsettled weekend of weather for the UK.

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Another low pressure system is forecast to move across the north, bringing a further spell of very strong winds and, depending on the track of the system, snow across parts of Scotland.

The Met Office has warned that the weather will be very changeable with spells of rain and showers up until Tuesday.

Temperatures will vary across the country, but it is expected to be coldest in the north east.

The south will be much milder, but blustery winds and small amounts of rain are expected.

What is the long term forecast?

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Conditions will be wet and cloudy in the north west on Tuesday, spreading across the UK throughout the day.

Rain and strong winds will continue through Wednesday and Thursday for northern areas, while the south is set to be much drier with milder temperatures.

The cloudy weather is likely to remain for much of the week, but conditions are likely to be winder with some rain showers in the far north west at times.

Temperatures are generally forecast to be near or milder than average next week, but some brief cold spells are possible, although this will primarily be restricted to the north.

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