The Met Office has issued a severe weather warning for substantial snowfall across 28 counties in the UK tomorrow, Thursday, November 20. Newly released maps from the national forecaster detail the extensive areas bracing for disruptive wintry conditions.
Widespread Snow and Ice Warnings
According to the Met Office, a yellow warning for snow and ice is active across many regions until midnight on Thursday. More significantly, a harsher amber warning has been issued for parts of England, indicating a greater level of severity.
Forecasters are warning the public to prepare for significant travel disruption. The Met Office states that bus and train services are likely to be cancelled or delayed, while untreated pavements and cycle paths could become treacherous or impassable. There is also a slight chance of power cuts affecting more exposed areas.
Affected Regions and Weather Details
Met Office maps show pockets of snow developing throughout the day across Scotland, northern England, south west England, and the eastern coast. Wales and Northern Ireland are also set to be affected.
BBC's Lead Weather Presenter, Helen Willetts, provided further insight: "Sleet and snow showers will continue across Scotland, Northern Ireland, western Wales, south-west England and eastern England - which means further problems for travel, not only with snow but ice too."
She added that while the early rain and snow mix will clear elsewhere, bringing sunshine, it will be a bitterly cold day. Top temperatures are forecast to be well below the average for November, struggling to reach between 7 and 11 degrees Celsius.
Full List of Counties Under Snow Alert
The following 28 counties have been identified by the Met Office as facing snow tomorrow:
- Scotland: Angus, Perth and Kinross, Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire, Moray, Na h-Eileanan Siar, Highland, Orkney Islands, Shetland Islands, Argyll and Bute, Scottish Borders
- Northern Ireland: County Antrim, County Armagh, County Down, County Fermanagh, County Londonderry, County Tyrone
- Wales: Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion, Pembrokeshire, Glamorgan
- England: Cornwall, Devon, Plymouth, Norfolk, Suffolk, Cumbria, Northumberland, Yorkshire, Durham
The forecaster has also warned that the hazardous conditions will persist into the evening. "This evening and overnight, there will be little change in the weather with wintry showers continuing to drape themselves around the UK's coastal counties, moving inland on the strong wind," said Willetts. "It will soon turn frosty, with very few places likely to escape. Following the earlier wintry mix it means ice will become a major hazard for many."
