The Met Office has escalated weather alerts by issuing new yellow warnings for snow and ice, impacting vast stretches of the United Kingdom. These advisories span tens of thousands of square miles, specifically targeting 57 areas across England and Scotland. Residents are being cautioned that accumulations of up to 10 centimetres, equivalent to four inches, of snow could blanket extensive parts of the nation by tomorrow.
Detailed Forecast and Timing
According to the national weather service, snow is anticipated to settle over sections of northern England and the Scottish borders. The onset of snowfall is projected to commence around 7:00 PM on Thursday, with wintry showers persisting until approximately noon on Friday. The Met Office has explicitly stated that "snow will settle," underscoring the potential for significant disruptions.
First Warning: Northern England and Scottish Borders
In the initial warning released this morning, forecasters outlined that outbreaks of rain will transition into snow over higher elevations initially. As Thursday evening progresses, the snow is expected to descend to lower levels. Settling snow will predominantly be confined to terrain above 200 metres, where 2 to 5 centimetres are possible. Above 300 metres, certain locations could experience accumulations reaching up to 10 centimetres.
Second Warning: Rest of Scotland
A separate warning has been issued for the remainder of Scotland, with wintry showers forecast to begin at 4:00 PM on Thursday and continue until noon on Friday. The Met Office warned that snow showers affecting high ground will start to fall to low levels through Thursday evening and overnight. Accumulations will vary due to the showery nature, but on low ground, 1 to 2 centimetres are possible in places by Friday morning. On hills above 300 metres, 2 to 5 centimetres are likely, with very localised areas potentially seeing up to 10 centimetres. Additionally, temperatures are set to drop rapidly, increasing the risk of ice forming on untreated surfaces.
Public Safety and Travel Advice
Residents in the affected regions are urged to exercise caution against slips and falls on icy pathways. The Met Office recommends keeping essential items in vehicles, including warm clothing, food, water, a blanket, a torch, an ice scraper or de-icer, a warning triangle, a high-visibility vest, and an in-car phone charger. Travel disruption is a possibility, and individuals are advised to allow extra time for journeys and to check conditions before departure.
"Give yourself the best chance of avoiding delays by checking road conditions if driving, or bus and train timetables, amending your travel plans if necessary," the forecaster advised. "Be prepared for weather warnings to change; when a weather warning is issued, the Met Office recommends staying up to date with the weather forecast in your area."
Affected Areas
The yellow weather warning for snow and ice in northern England and southern Scotland, effective from 7:00 PM on Thursday, encompasses the following regions:
- East Midlands: Derbyshire
- North East England: Darlington, Durham, Gateshead, Hartlepool, Middlesbrough, Newcastle upon Tyne, North Tyneside, Northumberland, Redcar and Cleveland, South Tyneside, Stockton-on-Tees, Sunderland
- North West England: Cheshire East, Cumbria, Greater Manchester, Lancashire
- SW Scotland, Lothian Borders: Dumfries and Galloway, Scottish Borders
- West Midlands: Staffordshire
- Yorkshire and Humber: East Riding of Yorkshire, North Yorkshire, South Yorkshire, West Yorkshire, York
The yellow weather warning for snow and ice in the rest of Scotland, starting at 4:00 PM on Thursday, covers these areas:
- Central, Tayside and Fife: Angus, Clackmannanshire, Dundee, Falkirk, Fife, Perth and Kinross, Stirling
- Grampian: Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire, Moray
- Highlands and Eilean Siar: Eilean Siar, Highland
- Orkney and Shetland: Orkney Islands, Shetland Islands
- SW Scotland, Lothian Borders: Dumfries and Galloway, East Lothian, Edinburgh, Midlothian Council, Scottish Borders, West Lothian
- Strathclyde: Argyll and Bute, East Ayrshire, East Dunbartonshire, East Renfrewshire, Glasgow, Inverclyde, North Ayrshire, North Lanarkshire, Renfrewshire, South Ayrshire, South Lanarkshire, West Dunbartonshire
