The Met Office has issued a significant yellow weather warning for snow and ice, set to impact various regions across the Midlands this week. This alert is scheduled to be in effect for a continuous 17-hour period, raising concerns about potential travel disruptions and hazardous conditions on untreated surfaces.
Timing and Details of the Weather Warning
According to the latest forecasts, the yellow warning will commence at 7pm on Thursday, February 12, and remain active until noon on Friday, February 13. During this timeframe, outbreaks of rain are expected to transition into snow, initially affecting higher hills before descending to lower levels throughout Thursday evening.
Expected Snowfall Accumulations
The Met Office has provided specific details regarding potential snowfall accumulations. On high ground above 200 metres, accumulations of 2 to 5 centimetres are possible. For areas above 300 metres, certain locations could experience up to 10 centimetres of snow. It is important to note that any settling snow will primarily be confined to these elevated regions.
As the rain and snow clear southward during the early hours of Friday, temperatures are anticipated to drop rapidly under clearing skies. This sudden temperature decline is likely to result in the formation of ice on untreated surfaces, adding to the travel hazards.
Affected Regions and Local Authorities
The weather warning encompasses multiple UK regions beyond the Midlands. The following areas are specifically mentioned as being affected:
- East Midlands: Derbyshire
- North East England: Darlington, Durham, Gateshead, Hartlepool, Middlesbrough, Newcastle upon Tyne, North Tyneside, Northumberland, Redcar and Cleveland, South Tyneside, Stockton-on-Tees, Sunderland
- North West England: Cheshire East, Cumbria, Greater Manchester, Lancashire
- SW Scotland, Lothian Borders: Dumfries and Galloway, Scottish Borders
- West Midlands: Staffordshire
- Yorkshire & Humber: East Riding of Yorkshire, North Yorkshire, South Yorkshire, West Yorkshire, York
Residents and travellers in these areas are advised to stay informed about the latest weather updates and exercise caution, particularly on roads and pathways that may become icy. The combination of snow, sleet, and rain could lead to challenging conditions, so planning ahead is recommended to minimise disruption.
