Met Office Issues 17-Hour Snow and Rain Alert for Midlands and Beyond
17-Hour Snow and Rain Alert for Midlands Areas

Met Office Issues 17-Hour Snow and Rain Alert for Midlands and Beyond

The Met Office has issued a series of weather warnings across the United Kingdom, with a significant 17-hour yellow alert for snow and rain set to impact the Midlands and other regions. The warnings come as the forecaster also named a new storm, Chandra, which is expected to bring further disruption.

Details of the Yellow Weather Warnings

The yellow warnings for rain and snow are scheduled to be in effect from midnight on Tuesday, January 27, until 5pm the same day. These alerts cover extensive areas, including parts of Scotland and northern England, with the Midlands specifically highlighted as a region facing potential snowfall.

According to the Met Office, rainfall accumulations could reach 20-30mm widely, with some locations possibly seeing up to 50mm. In the southern Pennines and southwest Scotland, there is a risk of 20mm of rain falling within a three-hour period, which could lead to rapid accumulation and localised flooding.

Snowfall Predictions and Elevation Impact

While low-lying areas are unlikely to experience significant snow accumulation, the Met Office cautions that snow depths will increase sharply with elevation. The forecast indicates:

  • 2-5 cm of snow above approximately 300 metres
  • 5-10 cm above 400 metres
  • 10-20 cm above 500 metres

The agency warns that drifting snow is possible due to brisk southeasterly winds, and strong, gusty winds, particularly to the west of hills, may exacerbate transport disruptions. This could affect road and rail networks, leading to potential delays and hazardous travel conditions.

Areas Covered by the Warnings

The Met Office has specified numerous regions under the yellow wind and rain warning, including:

  1. East Midlands: Derbyshire
  2. North East England: Durham, Northumberland
  3. North West England: Cheshire East, Cumbria, Greater Manchester, Lancashire
  4. SW Scotland, Lothian Borders: Dumfries and Galloway, East Lothian, Edinburgh, Midlothian Council, Scottish Borders, West Lothian
  5. Strathclyde: East Ayrshire, South Ayrshire, South Lanarkshire
  6. West Midlands: Staffordshire
  7. Yorkshire & Humber: North Yorkshire, South Yorkshire, West Yorkshire

Additional Warnings for Storm Chandra

Separately, the Met Office has issued an amber wind warning for eastern parts of Northern Ireland as Storm Chandra approaches. This warning is set to remain in place from 5am until 9pm on Tuesday, with strong winds expected to cause potential disruption to infrastructure and travel.

Additionally, an amber warning for heavy rain has been issued for south-west England, effective from 5pm on Monday until 9am on Tuesday. The Met Office spokesperson stated that Storm Chandra will bring persistent rain, heavy at times, with 30-50mm likely widely and 60-80mm possible across higher ground, especially south Dartmoor.

Further Weather Alerts Across the UK

Elsewhere, a 12-hour yellow rain weather warning covering the East of England, London, and South East England will come into effect at midnight and remain until 12pm on Tuesday. This highlights the widespread nature of the unsettled weather conditions affecting multiple regions simultaneously.

Residents in affected areas are advised to stay updated with the latest forecasts and prepare for potential travel disruptions. The Met Office continues to monitor the situation closely, urging caution during this period of adverse weather.