The Met Office has announced that 29 distinct areas across the United Kingdom are set to experience snowfall before Thursday, prompting the issuance of yellow weather warnings for both snow and ice. These alerts affect regions in England, Scotland, and Wales, indicating widespread winter disruption as the nation approaches Wednesday, February 4.
Detailed Breakdown of Weather Warnings
Four separate yellow warnings have been activated by the Met Office, each with specific timelines and geographical coverage. The first warning encompasses Wales, the Midlands, and the North West of England, effective from 6pm on Tuesday until 9am on Wednesday. In Scotland, one alert is in force from 2am until 12noon on Wednesday, while another extends from 6pm today until 11:59pm on Wednesday, highlighting prolonged hazardous conditions.
Forecasted Snow Accumulations and Impacts
According to the Met Office, rain in eastern and northern Scotland will transition to sleet and snow throughout Tuesday and into Wednesday. Accumulations of 1-3 cm are anticipated above 100 metres, with potential for up to 5 cm in certain locations. For elevations exceeding 200 metres, forecasts predict 10 cm of snow, and locally, some areas could see up to 20 cm. At lower levels, a mix of rain, sleet, and snow may lead to minor accumulations.
The Met Office has cautioned that strong winds could exacerbate conditions, creating blizzard scenarios and causing drifting of settled snow, particularly in the northern parts of the warning zones. This aligns with reports from the BBC Weather team, noting that regions like the Highlands, Moray, Aberdeenshire, and Perth and Kinross have already faced disruptions from snow, rain, and flooding since the beginning of the year.
Full List of Affected Areas
The 29 areas under yellow warnings for snow and ice include:
- Shetland Islands
- Angus
- Clackmannanshire
- Dundee
- Fife
- Perth and Kinross
- Stirling
- Aberdeen
- Aberdeenshire
- Moray
- Highland
- Orkney Islands
- Argyll and Bute
- Derbyshire
- Durham
- Cheshire East
- Cumbria
- Greater Manchester
- Lancashire
- Conwy
- Denbighshire
- Flintshire
- Gwynedd
- Powys
- Wrexham
- Staffordshire
- North Yorkshire
- South Yorkshire
- West Yorkshire
Residents in these regions are advised to stay updated with the latest forecasts and exercise caution while travelling, as conditions may deteriorate rapidly. The Met Office emphasises that these warnings are in place to help the public prepare for potential travel delays, road closures, and other weather-related challenges.
