The Met Office has triggered a significant yellow weather warning for snow, set to blanket parts of the UK for a marathon 15-hour period on Tuesday, November 18.
Affected Regions and Expected Impact
The alert, which highlights the risk of disruption to transport and infrastructure, specifically targets higher ground in Scotland. The Met Office warns that some roads and railways are likely to be affected, leading to longer journey times for road, bus, and train services.
An area of rain is forecast to arrive in western Scotland early on Tuesday morning. It will then move erratically southwards and eastwards throughout the morning, before easing and clearing during the afternoon.
Snowfall Accumulation Predictions
While there remains some uncertainty regarding the precise track of the weather system, a period of snow is considered likely over high ground. The Met Office indicates that accumulations of 2-5 cm are possible above approximately 150 metres in elevation. On terrain higher than 400 metres, the snowfall could be more substantial, with accumulations of 5-10 cm.
The warning covers a swathe of Central Scotland, Tayside, and Fife, including Angus, Perth and Kinross, and Stirling. It also encompasses the Grampian region, taking in Aberdeenshire and Moray. Additionally, the Highlands & Eilean Siar and parts of Strathclyde, such as Argyll and Bute, are within the alert zone.
Broader UK Outlook and Preparedness Advice
Jo Farrow, a forecaster from Netweather, provided further context, stating: "There will be snow for some this week, northern Scotland looks prone, Northern Ireland, western Wales and NE England could also get caught in a wintry flow of showers."
She emphasised a sharp drop in temperatures, noting that Wednesday looks "properly cold" and that any precipitation on Wednesday and Thursday is more likely to fall as sleet or snow. Daytime temperatures are expected to hover between 3 to 6C, with overnight temperatures plunging below freezing, bringing a risk of frost and ice.
Farrow also offered practical advice for the public, suggesting it's time to dig out the scarf, hat, gloves, and big coat. For motorists, she recommended checking supplies of de-icer and ensuring screenwash is a winter-ready liquid mixture, not just water, to ensure safety on the roads.
