Snow hits parts of the UK with amber weather warnings in place
Snow hits parts of the UK with amber weather warnings in place
Snow
and freezing rain have affected parts of the UK, with amber weather warnings
issued in some areas predicting significant disruptions.
Flights
at Bristol Airport were briefly halted on Saturday evening, and the Met Office
has cautioned about potential power outages, isolated rural communities, and
travel disruptions.
Milder
yellow weather warnings have been issued for parts of Scotland, Northern
Ireland, and other areas in England.
Current
amber weather warnings include:
- A warning for snow and freezing rain
covering much of Wales and central England, including the Midlands and
cities like Liverpool and Manchester, lasting until noon on Sunday.
- A separate warning for snow impacting
northern England, including Leeds, Sheffield, and the Lake District,
lasting until midnight on Sunday.
Amber
warnings signify a greater severity than yellow warnings, indicating possible
life-threatening conditions and more substantial travel disruptions.
Photographs
from Saturday evening show snow settling in various locations, including many
parts of Wales and counties in western, central, and southern England such as
Gloucestershire, Wiltshire, Hampshire, Surrey, and Oxfordshire.
Flights
at Bristol Airport resumed around 23:00 GMT on Saturday, but passengers were
advised to expect potential delays on Sunday and confirm flight details with
their airlines.
Wiltshire
Police reported "chaotic" weather across the county, while Avon and
Somerset Police highlighted major road disruptions, urging people to travel
only if essential.
The
National Grid reported power outages in areas including Birmingham, Bristol,
and Cardiff, with efforts underway to restore electricity to affected
properties.
A
band of wet weather will continue to move northward across England and Wales
overnight, turning into snow as it meets the cold air settled over the UK.
The
heaviest snowfall is anticipated in higher elevations of Wales, the Midlands,
and northern England, with accumulations of up to 30-40cm possible in areas
like the mountains of north Wales, the Peak District, and the Pennines.
At
lower altitudes, some snow may cause disruptions, though it may mix with rain
in some areas, creating icy conditions on cold surfaces.
A
separate yellow warning for snow and freezing rain covers much of England and
Wales into Sunday, but there is uncertainty about the level of disruption due
to milder temperatures in the forecast.
Related
Topics:
- Why bad weather causes flight chaos
in Britain
- Information on cold weather payments
and eligibility
- Tips for keeping babies warm during
winter and other seasonal advice
- Driving safely in snow and icy
conditions
- Understanding cold weather health
alerts
- Has the UK experienced a decline in
snowfall over time?
Prof
Liz Bentley, chief executive of the Royal Meteorological Society, explained on
BBC Radio 4's Today programme that freezing rain occurs when droplets
fall onto sub-zero surfaces, freezing instantly and forming a layer of
"glazed ice."
Eastern
areas of Northern Ireland could see minor snowfall overnight, with up to 10cm
expected in higher areas.
Parts
of southern and eastern Scotland will face snow and ice during the early hours,
while wintry showers in the north may result in slippery conditions.
In
southern England and southern Wales, any snow is likely to transition back to
rain as milder air moves in, with temperatures in parts of southwest England
reaching up to 12°C by the end of the night.
Heavy rain will be a greater concern in Wales, central, and southern England as milder weather sets in.
New yellow weather warnings will take effect in certain areas on Sunday.
Heavy rain combined with melting snow could result in flooding in parts of northwest England and Wales, while localized snow and ice warnings are in place for Scotland, where temperatures will stay cold.
Temperatures are predicted to drop again starting Monday, and amber cold weather health alerts from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) remain active for all of England.
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