Met Office Issues 18-Hour Snow Warning for 16 English Areas This Weekend
The Met Office has activated yellow weather warnings for snow and ice across multiple regions in England, with the alerts set to commence at 4pm on Friday, February 13, and remain in effect for a duration of 18 hours until Saturday, February 14. This significant weather event is expected to bring challenging conditions to northern parts of the country, impacting travel and daily activities.
Full List of Affected Areas
The Met Office has specifically named 16 areas in England that are at risk during this period. The list includes:
- Darlington
- Durham
- Gateshead and Hartlepool
- Middlesbrough
- Newcastle upon Tyne
- North Tyneside
- Northumberland
- Redcar and Cleveland
- South Tyneside and Stockton-on-Tees
- Sunderland
- East Riding of Yorkshire
- Kingston upon Hull
- North Lincolnshire
- North Yorkshire
Residents in these locations are advised to prepare for potential disruptions and hazardous conditions.
Expected Impacts and Travel Disruptions
According to the Met Office, the snow and ice are likely to lead to difficult travel conditions in many places. The warning highlights that some roads and railways may be affected, resulting in longer journey times for road, bus, and train services. Additionally, there is a risk of injuries from slips and falls on icy surfaces, with probable icy patches on untreated roads, pavements, and cycle paths.
In response to the forecast, National Highways reported that the A66 was closed on Friday morning between the A67 near Bowes in County Durham and the A685 near Brough in Cumbria due to concentrated snowfall. Crews are on scene with winter treatment vehicles working to clear and treat the carriageway, but snowfall is expected to continue throughout the morning. Cumbria police units are assisting with traffic management, and road users traveling across the Pennines are advised to plan ahead and consider alternate routes.
Weather Outlook and Health Alerts
Despite the snow warnings, Met Office forecaster Marco Petagna indicated that Saturday could be the best day seen for some time, with a lot of sunshine across the UK. However, temperatures will be cooler than average, though this may be offset by the sunshine. In a related development, the UK Health Security Agency has issued yellow alerts for cold weather across northern England and the Midlands, effective from 6am on Friday until 8am on Monday, urging residents to take precautions against the chilly conditions.
This combination of snow, ice, and cold weather underscores the importance of staying informed and prepared during this winter period. Local authorities and emergency services are monitoring the situation closely to ensure public safety.
