The Met Office has escalated its weather warnings, expanding the UK snow alert to two additional counties in England amidst forecasts of prolonged wintry conditions.
Extended Weather Warnings and Forecast
A fresh snow and ice alert has been issued for the south of England, coming into force at midday on Wednesday, November 19. The warning is set to remain active until 11.59pm on Thursday, November 20, covering a period of approximately 36 hours.
According to the Met Office, wintry showers will feed southwards across southwest Wales, Devon, and Cornwall throughout Wednesday and Thursday. These showers are expected to move well inland, driven by brisk northerly winds.
Potential Accumulations and Disruption
The national weather service has indicated that while some areas will see little settling snow, others could experience significant accumulations. The Met Office stated: "Whilst some places will see little or no lying snow, where showers are most frequent accumulations of 2-5 cm are possible, and perhaps up to 10 cm in a few isolated spots."
The highest accumulations, potentially reaching 10 centimetres, are most likely in areas above 200 metres elevation, particularly in Pembrokeshire and west Carmarthenshire. The forecast also warns of gusty winds, hail, and a risk of ice as snow partially thaws and refreezes overnight.
Expected Impacts and Public Advice
The Met Office has highlighted several potential disruptions, including:
- A small chance that untreated pavements and cycle paths become impassable.
- A slight chance of delays or cancellations to bus and train services.
- Potential for road closures and longer journey times.
- A small chance of injuries from slips and falls on icy surfaces.
- A slight chance of power cuts, which could affect mobile phone coverage.
Looking further ahead, the BBC forecasts lingering showery rain and hill sleet for south-east England tomorrow, with sunny spells and patchy cloud elsewhere. Sleet and snow showers are expected to continue in northern Scotland, Northern Ireland, and along North Sea coasts.
