The Met Office has issued a serious amber weather warning for snow, predicting significant disruption across parts of northern England later this week.
When and Where the Snow Will Strike
An amber warning for snow and ice will be active for 16 hours from 5am to 9pm on Thursday, November 20. The alert covers specific local authorities in North East England and Yorkshire & Humber.
The regions expected to bear the brunt of the wintry weather are Redcar and Cleveland, East Riding of Yorkshire, and North Yorkshire. The Met Office specifically highlights that the North York Moors and parts of the Yorkshire Wolds will see the heaviest accumulations.
Expected Impacts and Disruption
Forecasters warn that frequent wintry showers moving inland from the North Sea will lead to substantial snow build-up. By Thursday evening, 15 to 25 cm of snow may have accumulated on hills above 100 metres in elevation.
This is expected to cause substantial travel disruption. The Met Office states that travel delays are likely, with the potential for some vehicles and passengers to become stranded. There is also a good chance that some rural communities could become cut off entirely.
Beyond transport, other services are expected to be affected. Power cuts are likely, and mobile phone coverage could also be impacted. Gusty winds may lead to occasional blizzard conditions, and a few lightning strikes are also possible, creating additional hazards.
Official Advice and Outlook
The Met Office has emphasised the serious nature of this amber warning, which sits just below the most severe red warning. Residents in the affected areas are advised to prepare for potential disruption to travel and daily routines throughout Thursday.
The warning underscores the risk of being stranded and the potential isolation of rural communities, urging people to consider altering travel plans and ensuring they have necessary supplies.
