The West Midlands is preparing for another bout of disruptive snowfall this weekend, with forecasters warning that Birmingham will see little respite from the wintry conditions. This comes just days after Storm Goretti brought chaos to the region with the heaviest snow seen in years.
Immediate Amber Warning for Friday
The Met Office has issued a series of urgent weather warnings for today, Friday, January 9. An amber warning for heavy snow is in force for the Midlands and Wales until 9am, indicating a high likelihood of significant disruption. This is then expected to lessen to a yellow warning for snow, which remains active until midday.
Maps indicate the white stuff will fall heavily during the Friday morning rush hour before beginning to ease. However, any clearing of the resultant slush will be short-lived, as a fresh weather system is already on the horizon.
Sunday Set for Further Wintry Onslaught
Forecast models show that Birmingham and the wider West Midlands should brace themselves for more flurries starting from Sunday, January 11. Weather charts have turned white for the region, predicting a deterioration in conditions throughout the day.
Accumulations are expected to build once again, with wintry showers forecast to spread across the city between 12noon and 9pm. This gives the city just a day-and-a-half of clearance after Friday's snow before the next wave arrives, disrupting the final day of the weekend.
National Picture and Further Warnings
The broader UK forecast from Netweather TV suggests a mixed start to January. While southern England may see temperatures 1 to 2C above normal, it is also likely to be especially wet. In contrast, sunshine totals are predicted to be above normal in Scotland but below in much of England and Wales.
Other active warnings for today include:
- A yellow warning for snow and ice across most of Scotland until 12noon.
- A similar yellow snow and ice warning for Northern Ireland.
- Yellow warnings for heavy and persistent rain covering eastern England and Wales.
The consecutive snow events signal a challenging period for transport and services in the Midlands, with authorities urging residents to stay updated on the latest travel advice and take necessary precautions.
