The Met Office has issued a significant weather warning, forecasting a 13-hour period of snow and ice that will affect large parts of the United Kingdom this Sunday.
Warning Details and Affected Regions
The yellow alert for snow and ice is scheduled to be in force from 2am until 3pm on Sunday, January 11. The warning, which was formally issued at 8.32am on Friday, January 9, covers eleven extensive regions.
The areas under the alert include:
- Central, Tayside and Fife
- East Midlands
- Grampian
- Highlands and Eilean Siar
- North East England
- North West England
- Orkney and Shetland
- SW Scotland, Lothian Borders, Strathclyde
- West Midlands
- Yorkshire and Humber
Context: Aftermath of Storm Goretti
This fresh bout of severe weather arrives just 48 hours after Storm Goretti battered the UK. The recent storm caused widespread disruption, including power cuts for tens of thousands of households, significant travel problems, and numerous school closures.
Officials in the West Midlands had previously warned of the potential for the "worst snowfall in a decade" on Friday, with predictions of 5-10cm of snow and up to 15-25cm in some isolated spots.
Expert Analysis and Forecast
Netweather TV's meteorologist, Jo Farrow, provided insight into the evolving situation. She noted that while Goretti's frontal rain had already moved over southern Britain, conditions were set to change as winds increased.
Farrow highlighted the intense wind patterns, particularly around the Isles of Scilly, and pointed to a concerning Inshore Waters forecast. This forecast predicted winds increasing to severe gale or violent storm force, with a possibility of hurricane force 12 for a time in the west, accompanied by very high seas.
"There are still some differences with the models," Farrow stated, advising that it was best for residents in the affected regions, particularly in South West England, to be prepared for further disruptive weather.
Residents across the warned regions are urged to stay updated with the latest Met Office forecasts, plan for potential travel disruption on Sunday, and take necessary precautions for the anticipated snow and ice.
