1 day Ago By Aditi Rane
The UK is once again bracing for blistering cold with snow and ice warnings in place for much of the country. According to the latest forecasts, southern England is set to experience significant snowfall , with maps pinpointing the exact timing of the event. The Met Office has issued yellow weather warnings for snow and ice across the UK today.
These warnings are concentrated in Scotland, Northern Ireland, northern England and parts of southern England, with hazardous conditions expected to disrupt travel and daily activities. The south of England, including London, faces the risk of snow later today. According to the WXCharts weather model, snowfall in southern England is expected to intensify this afternoon and evening.
At 9am, coming in from south-west, the map turns purple as Plymouth is forecasted to see the first flurries. By 3pm, the snow band is expected to spread further east, potentially impacting cities like Cardiff, Southampton and London. At 6pm, it will continue to move east, with London seeing its last bout of snow by 9pm.
The snow is forecast to be heaviest along the southernmost regions, with snowfall rates of up to 5cm per hour in some areas. The Met Office said: “Whilst not all areas may be affected, outbreaks of snow may push in from the southwest during Wednesday, potentially giving some significant accumulations in places. "2-5 cm of snow could accumulate fairly widely, and as much as 10 cm over higher ground, especially over east or northeast-facing slopes.
Rain or sleet is more likely near coasts.” Further north, Scotland and northern England will continue to experience snow and icy conditions throughout the day. An ice warning has been issued for the East Midlands, North West England, Wales, West Midlands and Yorkshire & Humber.
“Afternoon and evening showers will slowly ease back to coasts Irish Sea coasts, allowing ice to form on untreated surfaces inland,” the Met Office said. “Showers will be a wintry mix, with 1-2cm accumulating on ground above about 200 m before they begin to ease.” The maps show heavy snow showers in the Highlands and parts of northeast Scotland, with widespread ice making conditions treacherous.
The Met Office warned of significant travel disruption, particularly in areas under yellow warnings. On the website, the forecaster advised: “Snowy, wintry weather can cause delays and make driving conditions dangerous, so to keep yourself and others safe. “Plan your route, checking for delays and road closures, amending your travel plans if necessary; if driving, leave more time to prepare and check your car before setting off; make sure you have essentials packed in your car in the event of any delays (warm clothing, food, water, a blanket, a torch, ice scraper/de-icer, a warning triangle, high visibility vest and an in-car phone charger).
” The current wintry spell is part of a broader cold front sweeping across the UK, with temperatures dropping to sub-zero levels in many areas. The cold weather is expected to persist into the weekend, with further snow and ice possible in the coming days..
