Met Office Issues 30-Hour Snow Warning for 13 UK Regions Before Thursday
The Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning for snow, covering 13 specific areas across the United Kingdom, with up to 30 hours of snowfall anticipated from Tuesday evening through Wednesday. This prolonged period of wintry weather is expected to bring potential disruption to travel and daily activities.
Timing and Details of the Snow Alert
The yellow warning is set to come into effect at 6pm on Tuesday, February 4, and will remain active until 11.59pm on Wednesday, February 5. According to the Met Office, persistent snowfall will develop over Shetland from Tuesday evening, spreading and continuing throughout Wednesday. Accumulations of 1-3cm are forecast widely, with higher ground potentially seeing 5-10cm of snow.
Strong winds accompanying the snow may lead to blizzard conditions and drifting of settled snow, exacerbating the hazardous conditions. The Met Office advises residents in affected areas to prepare for possible travel delays, road closures, and disruptions to public services.
Affected Regions Across the UK
The alert specifically targets the following 13 areas, primarily in Scotland but with implications for broader regions:
- Shetland Islands
- Angus
- Clackmannanshire
- Dundee
- Fife
- Perth and Kinross
- Stirling
- Aberdeen
- Aberdeenshire
- Moray
- Highland
- Orkney Islands
- Argyll and Bute
Expert Forecasts and Extended Outlook
Weather experts, including James Madden from Exacta Weather, suggest that this snow event is part of a broader cold spell. Madden notes that snow projections indicate intensifying opportunities around Thursday and Friday, potentially extending as far south as London and the eastern half of England.
"The cold and snow projections intend on sticking around for some time and continue to intensify as a trend between this week and around mid-February," Madden stated. This implies that residents across the UK should remain vigilant for further winter weather updates beyond the immediate warning period.
Local authorities and transport agencies are urged to monitor conditions closely, as the combination of snow and wind could significantly impact road safety and infrastructure. The public is advised to check for updates from the Met Office and plan journeys accordingly to minimise disruption.
