This Blackburn cold snap is closer than you think as November turns wintry, here is when snow showers may arrive and what the Met Office says

A short burst of snow could arrive before a swift change.

After an unusually mild autumn, the North West looks set to feel a sharper edge. The Met Office says October ran warmer than the long-term average, a trend many in Blackburn will have noticed on school runs and late walks. Now, forecasters signal a quick switch to something more seasonal, with the chance of flakes in the air as early as midweek. That has plenty of people peering at the skies again.

According to AccuWeather, snow showers could clip East Lancashire on Wednesday 19 November, with Blackburn in the firing line during the morning before a turn to rain later. The UK’s national forecaster has not yet issued a specific Lancashire update for that day, but it has flagged wintry showers returning on a northerly flow. The window looks tight.

What Blackburn can expect as colder air arrives midweek

AccuWeather’s outlook points to a brief shuffle from flakes to drizzle as Wednesday unfolds. It highlights morning snow showers across Blackburn and surrounding towns, then a change to rain into the afternoon. The service also lists temperatures with highs of 6 °C and lows of 12°C, and paints a sky with gaps of brightness between the action. In its own words, the forecast states « Sunny periods. A couple of morning snow showers followed by a bit of snow and rain at times in the afternoon. »

Set against a month that started mild, that sounds like a jolt. Early risers could wake to a wintry mix on higher routes, while lower ground edges wetter as the day wears on. It is the kind of day that tempts you to reach for the heavy coat, then question it an hour later. That is November in the North West, and it often changes on a sixpence.

For those planning commutes, the timing matters. A morning burst of snow, even if light, can slow junctions on the A666 and make pavements greasy. By lunchtime, the thaw under rain usually tidies things up. Still, don’t be surprised if winds nip and visibility dips in showers. It is a day to watch the radar and keep plans flexible.

The Met Office hint that could flip the script by the weekend

While AccuWeather points to that midweek mix, the national guidance sketches the broader pattern. A Met Office spokesperson said « Towards the middle of next week, an area of rain and stronger winds may move southeast across much of the UK, bringing a brief less cold spell, before a resumption of the cold northerly airflow with further wintry showers. Although very uncertain, high pressure may then settle things down by next weekend before it possibly turns milder, wetter and windier from the west late in the period. »

That message puts Lancashire on a bit of a weather seesaw. A short-lived lift in temperatures might arrive as that band of rain sweeps through, followed by a fresh push of colder, northerly air and more wintry showers. Then, if high pressure edges in, conditions settle for a time. And yet, the west could send something milder and blustery before the period ends.

Translation for local plans, it looks changeable. One day asks for a hat, the next day shrugs and asks for a brolly. The key line for now is the northerly return that reopens the door to wintry showers. For Blackburn, that often means the hills see the early flakes while the town feels sleet and cold rain. It keeps you guessing, doesnt it.

Snow to rain in hours, and what that means for travel and daily plans

The signal for Wednesday points to a quick flip. Morning snow or sleet, then rain as temperatures lift and the air moistens. If you are timing school drop-off or a first meeting, the earlier part of the day looks the wintry bit. Later on, roads trend wet rather than white. The forecast also mentions temperatures that read in a curious way, with highs at 6 °C and lows at 12°C, and that underlines how variable this setup can feel from street to street.

For everyday life, small tweaks help. Leave a little extra room in schedules in case the first hour slows. Keep an eye on council gritting updates and live traffic maps before setting off. And swap smooth soles for something with grip if you are on foot around slushy kerbs. Simple moves make a cold snap far less of a headache.

• Check trusted local updates in the morning, allow extra travel time, and keep a warm layer plus de-icer to hand for early starts.

One last note on expectations. The Met Office has not yet released a Lancashire-specific forecast for Wednesday, which means details on exact timing in Blackburn could shift as new data lands. The broader steer is steady though, with that northerly returning and showers turning wintry in places. For now, eyes on Wednesday morning, then a watchful wait into the weekend pattern.