The UK is bracing for a weekend of severe winter weather, with snow, ice, and freezing rain expected to disrupt travel and daily life. Below is a ranking of the most significant weather warnings and expected impacts across the country:
1. Amber Weather Warnings for Snow and Ice (Saturday to Sunday)
- Areas Affected: Wales, Midlands, north-west England, East Midlands, South-East England, and Yorkshire & Humber.
- Impact: Heavy snow and freezing rain are likely to cause travel disruption including road closures, rail delays and hazardous conditions for pedestrians.
- Timeframe: 18:00 GMT Saturday to 12:00 GMT Sunday.
- Warning Level: Amber - significant disruption is likely.
2. Yellow Weather Warnings for Ice and Snow (Friday to Monday)
- Area: North Wales, North-West England, Scotland, and areas of Northern Ireland.
- Impact: The ground may be slippery and icy; this may most affect travel out of rural or highland areas. Disruptions to travel through this area by road or rail can be expected.
- Time-scale: Ongoing from Friday evening through Monday.
- Level Warning: Yellow, prepare for possible disruption mainly for the rural parts of the region.
3. Over the UK Temperatures to Plunging End.
- Areas Affected: Whole country, with lowest in southern and central England, Oxfordshire at -8.1°c.
- Impact: Temperatures above zero will only contribute to icy conditions, mainly in untreated roads. This might turn out very bad because the huge fall that would happen from Friday night through Saturday morning might come out very hazardous in most of the rural areas.
- Timeframe: Friday night through Saturday morning
- Temperatures:. Several areas: -6°C to -8°C.
4. North-West Floods: Hundreds Receive Warning Letters Amid Weather Alert
- Places to be Affected: North-West England where seven warnings of flooding were issued.
- Impact: Resulting Effects: Flooding due to continuing deluges, property destroyed or damaged; in some places, people needed to be taken from their residences, and over 38 alerts suggest other flooding by this weekend.
- Period: In effect to be continued at risk this weekend.
- Warning Level: Flood risk expected to continue, monitor updates.
5. Snowfall Expected in Southern and Eastern England
- Areas Affected: Southern England, including parts of Wales and South-East England.
- Impact: Although the weather will be mainly rain, the change in the weather might lead to brief falls of snow, especially on higher ground. Travel disruptions are possible but short-lived.
- Timeframe: Saturday evening to Sunday morning.
- Warning Level: Yellow - snow is expected but should not cause prolonged disruptions.
As the weekend approaches, UK residents are urged to stay abreast of continuing weather updates. With multiple warnings in place, the cold temperatures and potential for snow and ice could lead to significant disruptions, especially on the roads.