Met Office warns of snow as cold snap to sweep country
Mostly calm and dry conditions will continue in the majority of the UK this weekend before giving way to a freezing start to the coming week, as temperatures are expected to dip – bringing snowfall. Temperatures are forecast to plummet tomorrow and Tuesday, touching -3C in Scotland and -2C in the northwest and east of England.
Yellow weather warnings for snow and ice are in place for two days, beginning early tomorrow, across northern Scotland and northeast England, with the Yorkshire and Humber area also covered by a larger yellow weather warning on Tuesday.
The affected areas are likely to experience power outages, delays to road, rail and air travel, and icy surfaces, while some rural communities may be cut off by the freezing conditions. The Met Office says the weather is “likely to cause some disruption to travel with a small chance of more widespread disruption for some”.
The Met Office’s deputy chief meteorologist, Chris Almond, said: “Very cold air will spread across the UK from late on Sunday through early next week. This brings with it snow even to low levels in the north and east through Monday and Tuesday, and in excess of 10cm could accumulate, most likely on high ground in the north, but also settling for a time at lower levels.
“With freezing overnight temperatures and the risk of ice, there’s a risk of some travel disruption, and wintry hazards are likely to persist through much of next week, even further south for a time, so keep an eye on the Met Office forecast for the latest information.”
The Met Office has also predicted a few fresh showers in parts of Scotland and eastern England for the remainder of the weekend.
The UK Health Security Agency has issued level 2 and level 3 cold weather alerts for the whole of England ahead of the coming week. This means the agency is encouraging people to stay warm and look out for those most at risk from the effects of the weather, such as people with medical conditions or those over the age of 65.
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