The Met Office has escalated weather warnings for the UK, naming 51 specific areas that are set to be hit by a significant band of snow this Sunday. A fresh yellow weather warning is now in place, forecasting potential travel chaos and hazardous conditions.
Warning Details and Expected Impact
The warning is active from 2am until 3pm on Sunday. A spell of snow is predicted to move across the affected regions throughout the morning, bringing a high likelihood of disruption. The Met Office cautions that while not all low-lying areas will see settling snow, accumulations of 2 to 5cm are likely, with a chance of 10cm locally.
Conditions are expected to be more severe at higher elevations. Above 200 metres, 10 to 20cm of snow is possible, with isolated patches reaching up to 30cm on hills exposed to strong southerly winds, particularly over the highest parts of Scotland. The accompanying strong winds may cause drifting snow, and icy surfaces will be a widespread hazard.
Regional Variations and Full List of Affected Areas
The nature of the snowfall will vary significantly depending on location and elevation. The Met Office stated: "Across northern England this will mostly be confined to ground above 200 metres elevation, but across Scotland this could fall to low levels during the morning." The band of precipitation is expected to turn into a messy mix of rain, sleet, and snow as it pushes eastwards through the afternoon.
The following regions and local authorities are under the yellow warning for snow:
- Angus, Clackmannanshire, Dundee, Falkirk, Fife, Perth and Kinross, Stirling
- Derbyshire
- Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire, Moray, Highland
- Darlington, Durham, Gateshead, Hartlepool, Middlesbrough, Newcastle upon Tyne, North Tyneside, Northumberland, Redcar and Cleveland, South Tyneside, Stockton-on-Tees, Sunderland
- Cheshire East, Cumbria, Greater Manchester, Lancashire
- Orkney Islands
- Dumfries and Galloway, East Lothian, Edinburgh, Midlothian Council, Scottish Borders, West Lothian
- Argyll and Bute, East Ayrshire, East Dunbartonshire, East Renfrewshire, Glasgow, Inverclyde, North Ayrshire, North Lanarkshire, Renfrewshire, South Ayrshire, South Lanarkshire, West Dunbartonshire
- Staffordshire (including the West Midlands)
- North Yorkshire, South Yorkshire, West Yorkshire
Potential Disruption and Public Advice
Residents in the listed areas are being urged to prepare for difficult conditions. The Met Office warning highlights several key risks:
There is a strong chance of travel delays on roads, with some vehicles and passengers potentially becoming stranded. Rail and air travel may also face delays or cancellations. Bus and train services could be affected, leading to possible road closures and longer journey times.
The public is also warned about an increased risk of injuries from slips and falls on icy surfaces. Furthermore, power cuts may occur, which could impact other services such as mobile phone coverage.
With the weather system predicted to be highly variable, even over short distances, the advice is to stay updated with the latest Met Office forecasts and travel information before venturing out on Sunday.
