The United Kingdom is on high alert as a major winter storm, poised to be named Storm Chandra, threatens to unleash up to three feet of snow across parts of the country from Friday, January 9. Forecasters are issuing stark warnings, with one expert advising that conditions on Thursday and Friday could be so severe that people 'should just stay at home'.
Forecasters Warn of Potential Havoc
Senior meteorologist Jim Dale told Metro that while temperatures may rise slightly, the weather is set to become dramatically more unsettled and could take a 'massive turn for the worse'. He described the incoming system as having the potential to 'cause havoc' for the whole of the UK.
'It contains virtually all the elements: heavy rain, heavy snow, high winds, freezing rain… It’s just a case of who gets what,' Mr Dale stated. He likened the meteorological battle to a boxing match, with 'Arctic air' fighting against milder systems. Those on the colder side of the divide face significant snowfall, while others will contend with heavy rain, though most areas will experience strong winds.
Third Named Storm of the Season Looms
This impending deluge follows initial snowfall that hit the UK on Monday, January 5 and Tuesday, January 6. The Met Office is monitoring the situation closely, with the severe conditions likely to meet the criteria for the season's third named storm: Storm Chandra. Weather maps and charts have turned white, grey, and light blue, clearly signalling the widespread snowfall on the horizon.
The warning comes amid existing criticism of the response to current wintry conditions. In Inverurie, Aberdeenshire, some residents have expressed frustration with the local council's gritting and clearance efforts following the earlier snow.
Local Residents Voice Concerns Over Gritting
Seventy-three-year-old Eleanor Cardno told the BBC she had 'never seen snow like it' and called for more action from Aberdeenshire Council. 'It's just relentless.... There's very little grit going down. I know that they [the council] are struggling with money but there's nothing,' she said. Another resident, 60-year-old Ewan Milne, said the authority 'couldn’t keep up' with the conditions, contrasting the response with more effective efforts in the past.
With the UK snow bomb expected to exacerbate these issues from Friday, authorities and the public are being urged to prepare for significant travel disruption, potential power outages, and dangerous conditions. The advice from experts remains clear: monitor official Met Office warnings closely and consider avoiding all but essential travel once the severe weather arrives.
