Birmingham is preparing for a perilous and unusual weather event this weekend, as forecasters warn of a phenomenon rarely witnessed in the UK. The city is set to experience freezing rain in the early hours of Sunday, 11 January, capping off a week already disrupted by snow and ice.
What is Freezing Rain and Why is it Dangerous?
According to data from WX Charts, temperatures in Birmingham are predicted to plummet to -2C by midnight on Sunday. A few hours later, around 3am, the specific atmospheric conditions could trigger the rare event. Unlike ordinary rain, freezing rain is a supercooled liquid that freezes instantly upon contact with any surface.
This creates a treacherous, transparent layer of ice often called black ice, which is incredibly difficult to see on roads and pavements. The Met Office has emphasised the significant hazards, stating it can turn pathways into an 'ice rink' and its weight has the potential to bring down trees and power lines. It also poses a severe risk to aircraft.
The Forecast Timeline for Birmingham
The weather event will unfold through the early part of Sunday. Following the predicted onset of freezing rain at 3am, further wintry conditions are expected. Weather maps indicate that a 0.6cm blanket of snow could fall over the city by 9am that same morning.
The broader forecast from the Met Office for the period from Sunday to Tuesday suggests further wet and windy weather moving eastwards across the country, with the possibility of hill snow in northern regions. However, milder conditions are expected to return for all by Monday.
A Rare Phenomenon with Specific Causes
Freezing rain requires a very precise set of atmospheric conditions, which is why it is so uncommon in the UK. It typically begins as snow, ice, or sleet high in the atmosphere. This precipitation then falls through a layer of warm air above 0C, melting it into liquid rain.
The critical factor occurs when these liquid droplets then pass through a shallow layer of sub-zero air just above the ground. This supercools the droplets, leaving them in a liquid state until the moment they strike a cold surface, where they freeze solid immediately.
Residents in Birmingham are urged to exercise extreme caution if travelling or walking on Sunday morning, as the resulting black ice will be a major slip and accident hazard. The event tops off a notably wintry week for the West Midlands city, which has already seen multiple spells of snow and icy conditions.
