Met Office Issues Snow Alert for Eight Northern Counties
The Met Office has issued a weather warning for eight counties across England that are likely to experience snowfall before the end of the week. Forecasters have identified the Pennines region as the area most at risk of significant wintry showers as the country moves towards Thursday, February 5 and Friday, February 6.
Five-Day Outlook Predicts Widespread Disruption
A comprehensive five-day weather outlook, covering the period from Saturday, February 7 through to Sunday, February 8, indicates that snow flurries could affect multiple parts of northern England. The Met Office specifically warns of "hill snow" and "possible snow" across the Pennines, with similar conditions expected in mountainous regions of Scotland and elevated areas of north Wales.
The Pennines mountain range stretches extensively from the Scottish Borders down through to Derbyshire, encompassing substantial portions of several northern counties. The principal counties that span this geographical area include:
- Northumberland
- Durham
- Cumbria
- Yorkshire
- Lancashire
- Greater Manchester
- Cheshire
- Derbyshire
Detailed Weather Forecast for Coming Days
Looking ahead to Wednesday evening, the BBC Weather team forecasts cloudy conditions persisting throughout, with spells of rain and hill snow expected across northern regions. The forecast indicates that spells of rain will move into southern areas through the night, creating potentially challenging travel conditions.
For Thursday, February 5, meteorologists predict spells of rain pushing northward across the United Kingdom, with precipitation expected to fall heavily at times. On higher ground, this precipitation is likely to manifest as snow and sleet, with hill snow particularly anticipated across Scotland throughout the day.
The outlook for Friday through Sunday, covering February 6 to February 8, suggests continued unsettled conditions. The BBC forecasts rain in southern areas on Friday that will spread northward, with similar conditions expected in the north-east where snow is likely on hills.
Saturday is predicted to remain unsettled with some showers and patches of light rain in southern regions, though conditions are expected to turn drier and brighter later in the day. Northern areas should experience drier conditions throughout Saturday.
Sunday is forecast to be the driest day of the period, beginning cloudy but developing brighter spells as the day progresses. Temperatures are expected to be milder compared to previous days, offering some respite from the wintry conditions.
Preparation and Safety Advice
Residents and travelers in the affected counties are advised to prepare for potential disruption to transport networks and daily activities. The Met Office recommends checking local weather updates regularly and allowing extra time for journeys, particularly in elevated areas where snow accumulation is most likely.
Motorists should exercise additional caution on roads that may become slippery due to snow and ice, while pedestrians should take care on potentially hazardous pavements and pathways. Local authorities in the affected regions are likely to implement winter maintenance plans to mitigate the impact of the expected snowfall.
