Major Snow Event Set to Hit Multiple English Regions
The Met Office has activated yellow weather warnings for snow and ice across eighteen towns and cities in England, with forecasts predicting accumulations of up to 10 inches (25cm) by the conclusion of Thursday.
These alerts, issued on November 19, indicate that snowfall will commence around midday on Wednesday and persist until 11.59pm on Thursday.
Affected Areas and Expected Impact
The weather warnings encompass numerous locations including Cornwall, Devon, Plymouth, Darlington, Durham, Gateshead, Hartlepool, Middlesbrough, Newcastle upon Tyne, North Tyneside, Northumberland, Redcar and Cleveland, South Tyneside, Stockton-on-Tees, Sunderland, East Riding of Yorkshire, Kingston upon Hull and North Yorkshire.
According to the Met Office statement: "By the end of Thursday, as much as 15-25cm may have accumulated on hills above 100m elevation, which is likely to cause substantial disruption."
Expert Forecast and Wider Weather Patterns
Met Office chief forecaster Neil Armstrong explained the meteorological context: "Cold Arctic air from the north is firmly in charge of the UK's weather, bringing the first notable cold snap of this autumn and giving an early taste of winter weather."
He further warned about temperature extremes: "Temperatures are well below average for the time of year and could get as low as -11C in rural parts of Scotland on Thursday night, with daytime temperatures generally in low single figures for many. With clear skies, overnight ice could create some particularly tricky travel conditions."
The cold weather system extends beyond England, with additional warnings currently active:
- Northern Ireland until 12pm Wednesday
- Northern Scotland until 9pm Thursday
- Wales, northern and central England until 11am Wednesday
- South-west Wales and south-western England from midday Wednesday to 11.59pm Thursday
Weather expert James Madden from Exacta Weather commented on the broader pattern, noting that the current conditions relate to Sudden Stratospheric Warming (SSW) events that could lead to further wintry weather through late November and December.
Residents across affected regions are advised to prepare for significant travel disruption and take necessary precautions during this early winter weather event.
