The Met Office has issued an urgent warning for residents in Birmingham to prepare an emergency kit ahead of a predicted 'snow bomb' set to hit the UK this Friday. Amber and yellow National Severe Weather Warnings for snow and ice are now in place as a blast of Arctic air ushers in a prolonged, severe cold spell for the start of the New Year.
What to Pack in Your Emergency Kit
In specific guidance for staying safe, the forecaster has advised Birmingham households to pack essential items in their vehicles. The recommendation is to take a fully charged mobile phone along with an in-car charger or a portable battery pack.
The suggested winter survival kit includes several crucial items:
- Ice scrapers and de-icer
- Phone chargers and power banks
- Warm clothes, blankets, and hi-visibility clothing
- Jump leads for car batteries
- An empty fuel can
- Non-perishable food and drink
The Met Office also recommends carrying a shovel, warning triangles, and even sunglasses to combat glare from snow.
Forecast Details and Snowfall Predictions
The Met Office forecast outlines a very cold period ahead. It states: "Heavy snow showers across northern and northeast Scotland today. Rain and snow clearing further south, leaving sunny skies." It adds that wintry showers will affect western and eastern areas, with conditions feeling bitterly cold in a brisk northerly wind.
Frequent snow showers are expected to continue in areas exposed to the northerly wind, with widespread hard frosts developing overnight. Saturday is predicted to begin cold and frosty for all, with further prolonged snow likely in parts of northeast Scotland.
According to the latest data from WX Charts, significant snowfall could begin as early as 6am on Friday, January 5th. The weather maps indicate the potential for heavy snow across several major cities and regions, with the possibility of accumulations continuing throughout the day.
Areas Facing the Heaviest Snowfall
The WX Charts projections suggest that by 9pm on Friday, snow may still be impacting a wide swathe of the country. Areas highlighted include Reading, Cheltenham, northern Scotland, Cornwall, Liverpool, and large parts of Northern Ireland.
Most strikingly, the maps show the potential for up to 20 inches (approximately 50cm) of snow affecting east London and surrounding areas like Reading. Similar significant accumulations are forecast for Birmingham and Newcastle.
Other regions set for substantial snow include Cheltenham, Stoke-on-Trent, and extensive parts of eastern Wales, including areas near Swansea. The Met Office advises that while there will be plenty of sunshine, sleet and snow showers will persist, especially in northerly-exposed locations, with the cold spell lasting through the weekend and showers easing from Monday.
Residents across the West Midlands and the wider UK are urged to monitor forecasts closely, plan travel carefully, and ensure they have the necessary supplies to stay safe and warm during this severe winter weather episode.
