The Met Office has issued a significant yellow weather warning for ice, placing several areas across the Midlands on high alert for hazardous conditions.
Timing and Affected Areas
The official warning period commenced at 10 pm on Saturday, November 29, and is scheduled to remain active until 9 am on Sunday, November 30. Weather maps reveal that temperatures within the warning zone are predicted to plummet, potentially reaching as low as -1°C in some spots.
The primary alert zone covers parts of Staffordshire and extends northwards towards Cumbria and Northumberland. While the city of Birmingham itself falls just outside the official ice warning, residents should still prepare for a very cold night, with temperatures expected to hover around a chilly 2°C.
Expected Impacts and Travel Disruption
The Met Office has explicitly cautioned that icy stretches are likely to cause disruption on Sunday morning. The main risks are centred on untreated roads, pavements, and cycle paths, which will become particularly slippery.
This poses a genuine safety hazard, with the national weather service warning of potential injuries from slips and falls on the icy surfaces. Commuters and early morning travellers are urged to exercise extreme caution.
Cause and Overnight Forecast
The dangerous icy conditions are a direct result of surface temperatures falling widely below freezing overnight. This follows an evening of rainfall, which has left roads and paths wet. As the mercury drops, these damp surfaces will rapidly turn into ice.
The overnight forecast indicates that the initial rain will clear into the North Sea, but this will be followed by clear spells. These clear skies are a key factor, as they allow heat to escape rapidly, leading to a widespread frost and the formation of those treacherous icy stretches.
