Last throw of the ice? Snow and cold showers to batter UK as spring approaches
Forecasters have predicted more snowfall across the UK, issuing weather warnings for much of the country over the next few days.
The Met Office warned yesterday of the potential for snow and ice in Wales, Northern Ireland, Scotland and parts of northern England. It said that wintry showers – which would fall as a mix of rain, hail and snow overnight – were likely to continue into the morning. Higher parts of northwest England were estimated to
receive 4-8cm of snow overnight.
Significant amounts of snow also fell in Scotland and Northern Ireland overnight on Monday. The town of Aviemore in Scotland had 7cm of snowfall, while Northern Ireland’s Lough Fea received 3cm. Temperatures were well below freezing, with Cairnwell in the Scottish Highlands hitting -4.5C.
Bonnie Diamond, a Met Office forecaster, told The Independent that the weather over the next few days will be “cold and unsettled”. She said another weather system will hit the UK from late on Friday into the weekend, potentially bringing “further flooding” to areas which have already experienced a lot of rain over the past two weeks. Storm Ciara and Storm Dennis, which buffeted the UK on consecutive weekends this month, caused severe flooding across the UK.
Yesterday, two severe flood warnings were in place for Shrewsbury and Ironbridge, both on the River Severn in Shropshire, meaning there was a “danger to life”. There were also more than 100 flood warnings still in force across England.