Wales snow warning
AWEATHER warning for snow and ice tomorrow has been upgraded to amber and extended to cover large parts of Wales.
The unseasonal cold snap – dubbed the “mini-Beast from the East” after the Arctic blast which hit the UK at the start of this month – is forecast to dump up to 25cm of snow in some places.
The warning means travel disruption is possible, rural communities could become cut off, vehicles may be stranded and power cuts may occur.
It comes on the tail of a “be aware” warning for north-west and parts of mid Wales, which could be hit by gales of up to 70mph today, and a second alert, also for today, forecasting snow and ice around north-east and mid Wales.
It will also feel bitterly cold, with temperatures in the wind feeling like -7°C in Cardiff and -23°C on Snowdon.
Met Office meteorologist Mark Wilson said: “The best way to describe this is as a real return to wintry conditions.
“The last couple of days have been quite mild across parts of the UK – we got to around 16°C on Thursday in Wales – but by tomorrow all of us will be back to very cold weather.
“‘Bitterly cold’ is the best way to describe it – temperatures on the face of it probably just around freezing, but with wind it’s going to feel well below freezing.”
The cold weather should only last a few days, though – by Tuesday temperatures will be getting back to average for the time of year.
Some schools yesterday warned parents that, while it is unlikely, they may have to close, or partially close, on Monday.
Forecasters have issued an amber warning for snow and ice for much of Wales tomorrow – just weeks after the country was brought to a standstill by storm Emma.
The amber warning – the Met Office’s second most severe weather warning – covers most of south Wales, as well as Monmouthshire and Powys.
Up to 25cm could fall on higher ground, while even low-lying areas will see between 5cm and 10cm fall.
The rest of Wales has been put on alert with a yellow warning issued for the day. The warning runs from midnight until 6pm, with the worst of the weather likely to hit tomorrow morning.
It is also set to feel bitterly cold and in the wind could feel like -7°C in Cardiff, and -23°C on Snowdon.
Some schools yesterday warned they might have to close on Monday.
Cardiff council said the weather will be closely monitored over the weekend before any decisions about closing schools in the city on Monday are made.
Caerphilly council said is it encouraging parents to check its website for the latest information regarding snow.
And Rhondda Cynon Taf council said it is not currently planning to close any schools but that information will be posted on social media to advise parents if this changes.
The Chief Forecaster’s assessment said: “A weather system is expected to run west along the English Channel and bring a spell of snow to south-west Britain on Sunday, clearing from the east during the afternoon.
“There is the potential for 5-10cm of snow to fall quite widely, and 15-25cm over higher ground. However, there remains uncertainty in how this system will develop and its impacts.”
Met Office meteorologist Mark Wilson said: “The best way to describe this is as a real return to wintry conditions.
“The last couple of days have been quite mild across parts of the UK – we got to around 16C on Thursday in Wales – but by tomorrow all of us will be back to very cold weather.
“‘Bitterly cold’ is the best way to describe it – temperatures on the face of it probably just around freezing, but with wind it’s going to feel well below freezing.”
An amber warning for snow and ice has also been issued for the Midlands, Yorkshire, London and the north-west, south-east, and east of England between 4pm today and 9am tomorrow. The cold weather should only last a few days, though – by Tuesday, temperatures will be getting back to average for the time of year.
Meteorologist Martin Bowles said the weekend’s weather could be dubbed a “mini Beast from the East”.