Birmingham is preparing for a severe bout of winter weather, with forecasters predicting a deluge of heavy rain followed by snowfall next week.
Significant Rainfall and Snow Forecast
Meteorological data indicates that the city could be hit by intense downpours on Friday, 9 January. Charts from WX Charts, which uses Metdesk data, suggest rainfall could reach up to 18.3mm per hour around midday.
This heavy rain band is expected to be followed by a period of snowfall later the same evening, with around 2.4cm of snow potentially accumulating. The situation arises as moisture from the Atlantic moves in and clashes with the cold air currently settled over the UK.
Wider Midlands Impact and Existing Warnings
While Birmingham faces a significant soaking, other areas are forecast for even higher precipitation levels. South Staffordshire may endure up to 28.6mm of rainfall during the same period.
This new threat comes on the heels of recent travel chaos. The Met Office has already issued a Yellow weather warning for snow and ice for large parts of England, including the West Midlands, on Tuesday, 2 January. The warning highlighted risks of snow turning to dangerous ice on roads and pavements, following incidents like a bus crashing into a bus stop.
Uncertain Outlook and Safety Advice
Weather experts note that while western regions are more likely to see rain, central and eastern areas, including Birmingham, remain at the highest risk for snow. The current spell of harsh northerly winds is expected to ease by the middle of next week, which should lighten snow showers in the north and east.
Looking further ahead, the Met Office states the long-range outlook for the following weekend is uncertain. Conditions may become less cold, but there is still a distinct potential for further snow in northern and central regions.
Residents are being urged to stay updated via local news and weather apps to prepare for the combined threat of heavy rain and freezing temperatures, which continues to pose a serious risk to local infrastructure and travel safety.
