Met Office Issues Dual Snow Warnings for 57 UK Regions
The Met Office has activated two separate yellow snow warnings, impacting a total of 57 areas across the United Kingdom from Thursday, February 12, into Friday, February 13. Forecasters anticipate significant snowfall that could lead to hazardous conditions and travel delays as the weekend approaches.
Timeline and Duration of Snow Alerts
The first warning commences at 4pm on Thursday in Scotland, persisting until midday on Friday, spanning approximately 20 hours. In England, the alert initiates around 7pm on Thursday, about three hours later, resulting in a 17-hour period of expected snowfall. Concurrently, the UK's Health Security Agency has issued yellow cold weather alerts for northern England and the Midlands, effective from 6am Friday to 8am Monday, highlighting broader health risks associated with the plummeting temperatures.
Regional Impact and Full List of Affected Areas
The warnings encompass diverse regions, with specific areas detailed below:
- East Midlands: Derbyshire
- North East England: Darlington, Durham, Gateshead, Hartlepool, Middlesbrough, Newcastle upon Tyne, North Tyneside, Northumberland, Redcar and Cleveland, South Tyneside, Stockton-on-Tees, Sunderland
- North West England: Cheshire East, Cumbria, Greater Manchester, Lancashire
- SW Scotland, Lothian Borders: Dumfries and Galloway, Scottish Borders
- West Midlands: Staffordshire
- Yorkshire and Humber: East Riding of Yorkshire, North Yorkshire, South Yorkshire, West Yorkshire, York
- Central, Tayside and Fife: Angus, Clackmannanshire, Dundee, Falkirk, Fife, Perth and Kinstra, Stirling
- Grampian: Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire, Moray
- Highlands and Eilean Siar: Eilean Siar, Highland
- Orkney and Shetland: Orkney Islands, Shetland Islands
- SW Scotland, Lothian Borders (additional): Dumfries and Galloway, East Lothian, Edinburgh, Midlothian Council, Scottish Borders, West Lothian
- Strathclyde: Argyll and Bute, East Ayrshire, East Dunbartonshire, East Renfrewshire, Glasgow, Inverclyde, North Ayrshire, North Lanarkshire, Renfrewshire, South Ayrshire, South Lanarkshire, West Dunbartonshire
Safety Advisories and Travel Precautions
The Met Office emphasizes that snowy and wintry weather can cause substantial delays and create dangerous driving conditions. Residents are urged to prioritize safety by planning routes in advance, allowing extra time for journeys, and checking for road closures or public transport disruptions. Adjusting travel plans as necessary is recommended to mitigate risks during this period of adverse weather.
Weather Outlook Beyond the Weekend
Looking ahead, weather patterns are expected to normalize early next week, with the Atlantic jet stream returning to its typical position near the north-west of Scotland, rather than its recent unusual location near Morocco. This shift should bring more seasonal conditions, reducing the likelihood of further snow events in the immediate future.
