SNOW has been spotted falling at Cheltenham ahead of the races today as a -1°C chill sweeps across the UK.
The forecaster said sleet is likely to fall at the Racecourse until 10am but heavy snow was seen settling in Gloucestershire.
PASnow has been spotted falling at Cheltenham ahead of the races today[/caption]
PAThe forecast comes as the second day of Cheltenham Festival 2025 gets underway[/caption]
Met OfficeThe Met Office said sleet is likely to fall at the Racecourse until 10am[/caption]
Patches of the white stuff have covered the Highlands in Scotland, much of the north east of England and parts of the Midlands.
The Met Office said: “Don’t be surprised if you see some wet snow in some of the showers today.
“A temporary slight covering is possible on the grass and cars, as seen recently here in Cheltenham.”
The agency also posted on X: “A chilly but bright start to Wednesday for some with showers.
“These becoming more widespread through the morning, turning heavy at times and wintry, mainly over the highest ground.”
The forecast comes as the second day of Cheltenham Festival 2025 gets underway.
After a Champion Hurdle that had to be seen to believed, there was another surprise at Cheltenham on Wednesday morning with snow falling.
An increasingly wintry scene emerged at Prestbury Park, where the day two feature is the Queen Mother Champion Chase at 4pm.
Gloucestershire highways warned those travelling to today’s event to stay safe and keep warm.
It said: “We appear to have some snow this morning!
“If you’re heading out please be careful and if you’re off to Cheltenham Festival wrap up warm.”
Met Office meteorologist Honor Criswick explained: “This week is going to be feeling a lot more like winter, all thanks to an area of high pressure dragging in a more northerly flow across the country.
“Wednesday will see snow across north-eastern parts of Scotland, namely the Highlands, and high ground will see flurries to a lower level.
“Sunshine peaking through the clouds will likely melt the snow away to lower levels.
UK 5 day weather forecast
Today:
Showery rain will clear southwards from southern England and Wales, with patchy frost clearing elsewhere to leave sunshine and showers across the UK.
Northern Ireland and western Scotland will be sunniest. Showers turning locally heavy and wintry. A chilly breeze.
Tonight:
Showers will continue to affect many eastern and some northeastern areas overnight, wintry in places.
Elsewhere mostly dry with clear periods, allowing a frost to develop. Some icy patches too.
Thursday:
Frost clearing to leave another chilly day with sunshine and showers, the showers most widespread across central, eastern and far northern parts of the UK.
Some western areas largely dry.
Outlook for Friday to Sunday:
Another day of sunshine and showers on Friday, some of the showers wintry on the hills.
Fewer showers, with a lot of fine weather over the weekend. Some overnight frost.
“Temperatures will see highs of 8-9°C but it will feel more like freezing.
“Thursday will also be a cold and frosty start and there will be icy stretches wherever there has been rain, so take care if you’re out and about in the early hours.
“There will be plenty of showers across North Sea coasts bringing sleet and snow, mainly across high ground.
“It will be largely dry across the rest but we can’t rule out showers inland. The temperature will be more like freezing.”
SplashThe Club enclosure at Cheltenham Racecourse covered in snow[/caption]
SplashAn increasingly wintry scene emerged at Prestbury Park[/caption]
PAThe day two feature is the Queen Mother Champion Chase at 4pm[/caption] Creator – [#item_custom_dc:creator]
