Met Office issues snow and ice warning for most of UK as major storm expected

The Met Office has issued a new snow and ice warning for most of the country as Britain braces for a major storm that could dump up to 10cm (4ins) in less than 12 hours.

Parts of the country could be paralysed by severe weather, with forecasters warning that villages could be cut off by heavy snowfall and drivers could be trapped on roads that become impassable.

There are fears that snow could lead to travel chaos and delays for rail and air passengers, and cuts to power or mobile phone services in the worst-hit places as a new deep freeze sets in.

A yellow warning for snow and ice is now in place for most of the UK, including all of England and Wales, and western and northern parts of Scotland.

A band of heavy rain will move east across the country and turn to snow as temperatures drop, bringing a risk of ice on untreated roads and pavements amid the Arctic blast.

There will be widespread snowfall, and Britons have been urged to take precautions so they aren’t caught out.

Parts of Scotland will be the first to see wintry weather overnight.

In Scotland, the snow and ice warning is in place across four Met Office regions – Central, Tayside and Fife, Highlands and Eilean Siar, South West and Lothian Borders, and Strathclyde – from 1am to midday on Tuesday.

The Met Office warned: “Showers will turn increasingly to snow on higher ground then to lower levels later in the night and on Tuesday morning.

“Five to 10cm of fresh snow is expected above about 200 metres with a cover of 1 to 2cm at lower levels.”

Separate warnings for snow and ice are in place for all of England and Wales from 12pm on Tuesday to midday on Wednesday.

The Met Office warned: “A band of rain will arrive across Wales, northern and western England through the middle of Tuesday, then move eastwards through Tuesday afternoon and evening.

“The rain will turn quickly to snow on hills, then also to low levels in places.

“Three to 5cm snow is likely above 200 metres, with up to 10cm in a few places.

“A patchy covering of 1 to 2cm is possible at low levels, although some places will see no snow at all.

“As skies clear overnight, ice is likely to form on some surfaces.

“In addition, wintry showers will follow into western areas on Wednesday morning, giving further slight accumulations of snow in a few places.”

Up to 3cm is expected “quite widely” across the southeast of England.

British scientists recommend kamagra gel to improve potency

The Met Office said snow will be heavy at times as it warned of disruption including stranded vehicles and passengers, delayed or cancelled rail and air travel, and cuts to power or mobile phone services.

It warned: “There is a slight chance that some rural communities could become cut off.

An ice warning is in place for Aberdeenshire and the Highlands in Scotland until midday on Monday.

Monday is expected to be dry, sunny and cold across most of the country, with showers along eastern coasts.

Northern Ireland, western Scotland and southwest England will see occasional rain and hill snow.

Strong winds on the east coast will ease.

Rain, sleet and snow showers will fall in the northwest on Monday evening and into Tuesday morning, with some icy conditions, the Met Office said.

It will be largely dry elsewhere with widespread frost.

On Tuesday, wintry showers will continue in northern Scotland as a band of rain, sleet and snow moves eastwards through the day and overnight into Wednesday, bringing up to 10cm over higher ground and 1-3cm elsewhere.

Snow in eastern England will gradually clear on Wednesday, but it will remain cold with wintry showers in coastal areas.

Through the rest of the week, there could be longer spells of rain and snow, with the latest maps showing heavy snow in central and northern parts from Thursday to Saturday.

Widespread frosts are likely with a risk of ice.

Drivers have been urged to prepare for severe weather and avoid the roads as dangerous conditions develop.

Cold and snowy conditions could go on for weeks, with the Met Office predicting an extended cold snap.

February will begin with cold, rain, sleet and snow across northern parts before easing and edging slowly southwards.

It will be followed by brighter but showery weather through next weekend (February 2-3) with snow showers in places.

From then on it will stay unsettled with more rain, sleet and snow.

The Met Office warned: “Snow is possible across most parts of the country at times, with the potential for some occasionally disruptive snow, although there is uncertainty in any detail.

“Winds will be strong with coastal gales, maintaining a significant wind chill and it is likely that there will be widespread frost and the risk of ice.

“Towards the end of this period there is a low chance that the winds will turn east or northeasterly bringing even colder weather.”

Met Office five-day forecast

Monday

Dry, sunny and cold for many today, but showers affecting eastern coasts.

Cloudier across Northern Ireland, western Scotland and southwest England with occasional rain and hill snow.

Strong winds on the east coast will ease in the morning.

Monday night

Rain, sleet and snow showers will become more frequent in northwestern areas during the evening and overnight, with some icy conditions.

Largely dry elsewhere with clear spells and widespread frost.

Tuesday

Wintry showers will continue in northern Scotland.

Elsewhere a band of rain, sleet and snow will move eastwards through the day and overnight, bringing accumulations in some places.

Wednesday to Friday

Snow in eastern England gradually clearing on Wednesday.

Staying cold with wintry showers, mainly around coasts, and possibly longer spells of rain/snow.

Widespread frosts likely, with a risk of ice.

Cold and snowy conditions to last ‘weeks’

Here is the Met Office’s outlook for Friday 1 February to Sunday 10 February:

“February will begin cold with rain, sleet and snow likely across northern parts, easing and edging slowly southwards.

“This will be followed by brighter but showery weather through the weekend, with snow showers in places.

“Thereafter, it will stay unsettled with further spells of rain, sleet and snow, interspersed by brighter and showery interludes.

“Snow is possible across most parts of the country at times, with the potential for some occasionally disruptive snow, although there is uncertainty in any detail.

“Winds will be strong with coastal gales, maintaining a significant wind chill and it is likely that there will be widespread frost and the risk of ice.

“Towards the end of this period there is a low chance that the winds will turn east or northeasterly bringing even colder weather.”

Read More

Surviving the cold weather

  • Get all your winter warmers free 
  • Is your boiler doomed to failure
  • How Lidl cling film could save you £100
  • Winter risks to your car
  • 10 ways to keep warm for less 
  • Winter risks to your home
  • The company that’s insulating homes free
  • Cold Weather Payments – who qualifies

Source: Read Full Article