Snowfall Weather Forecast: Who faces travel, flooding and power risks as warnings cover wide swathes of the UK

The immediate impact of the snowfall weather forecast will fall first on hill communities, commuters and coastal areas at risk of heavy rain and large waves. Official yellow warnings are affecting parts of Northern Ireland, southern England, Wales, the Midlands and the southern Pennines, raising the risk of travel disruption, local flooding and power interruptions through Wednesday night and into Thursday.

Snowfall Weather Forecast – who feels the pinch earliest

Higher ground and southern counties are most exposed: hilltops above 150–300 metres face centimetres of snow, and low-lying southern counties could see heavy rain totals that worsen existing flooding problems. Northern Ireland’s high ground and mid–southeast Wales are particularly vulnerable; residents, road users and rural communities should expect the earliest and sharpest impacts.

Warnings and timing: the official picture

A yellow warning for rain and snow came into force across Northern Ireland early on Wednesday morning while a separate yellow warning for rain covers southern parts of England. A further yellow warning for snow is due to begin later across parts of Wales, the Midlands and the southern Pennines, and an ice warning for Wales is set to start during the evening. National yellow Severe Weather Warnings remain in force into Thursday morning.

Regional details and expected amounts

• Northern Ireland: a mix of rain and wintry precipitation is forecast through Wednesday, with persistent rain at low levels and snow over high ground, especially the Sperrins. Several centimetres could accumulate above 250 metres in places; any lying snow should thaw during the evening and overnight.
• Southern England: rain will turn heavy across southern counties. Typical expected totals include 10–20 mm for many areas, 20–30 mm possible along the south coast and up to 50 mm in places such as Dartmoor. In the wettest locations, 30–50 mm (1. 2–2. 0 in) could fall, threatening to worsen flooding issues that have affected parts of the country earlier in the year.
• Wales, Midlands and southern Pennines: hill snow is expected as the rain band shifts northwards in the late afternoon and evening. Guidance gives a range by elevation—small falls of a few centimetres above 150–200 m, with larger accumulations higher up. Estimates vary: some guidance cites 2–5 cm above 150–200 m and 10–15 cm above 250–300 m across mid and southeast Wales, Herefordshire, Shropshire and the southern Pennines; other indications allow for up to 15–20 cm on the very highest ground of mid and southeast Wales. These differences mean accumulation forecasts are still developing.
• Other hills: some snow could start to affect the Peak District, the Pennines and possibly south‑west Scotland during the night.
• Low levels: a mix of rain and sleet is more likely, with the possibility of brief wet snow at times.

Travel, power and coastal hazards

Flooding and travel disruption are possible across affected areas, and wind gusts in the 45–55 mph range will form an additional hazard for exposed routes. The warnings note a small chance of delays on roads caused by stranded vehicles and knock‑on effects for train and flight schedules. There is also a small chance of local power cuts and mobile‑service interruptions where heavy snow and strong winds combine.

Wales focus: community impacts and counties listed

One yellow warning affecting Wales covers 18 counties, with snow expected in that area until 06: 00 GMT on Thursday and an ice warning in the same area in effect until 10: 00 on Thursday. Residents in higher ground in mid and southeast Wales may see the largest accumulations. The counties under the yellow warnings are Blaenau Gwent, Bridgend, Caerphilly, Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion, Conwy, Denbighshire, Gwynedd, Merthyr Tydfil, Monmouthshire, Neath Port Talbot, Newport, Pembrokeshire, Powys, Rhondda Cynon Taf, Swansea, Torfaen and Wrexham.

Here's the part that matters: rural communities in these counties face the clearest risk of isolation, and infrastructure interruptions would be most likely where deep snow combines with strong winds.

• Yellow warnings remain active into Thursday morning.
• Snow in the Welsh warning area expected until 06: 00 GMT Thursday; ice warning until 10: 00 Thursday.
• Strong winds and the wet/wintry mix raise the chance of stranded vehicles, power cuts and mobile outages.

Related transport notes and other items in the coverage

• Footage shows Sam Dudley, who was listening to music, appearing shocked at the sight of a train.
• Trains now stop at Northumberland Park after running through the station for more than a year.
• An airline warned of major disruption after fog left aircraft in the wrong place.
• An airport described a change as a faster, more convenient option in line with other airport charges.
• Part of the line between Ashford and Borough Green had to close in 2021 after a landslip.

What’s easy to miss is how contrasts within the same system—heavy southern rain versus hill snow further north—create sharply different impacts over short distances, so local conditions will be decisive for safety and travel.

Outlook, uncertainty and the short timeline

As the system clears on Thursday, most areas are expected to turn drier, though Northern Ireland and western Scotland will see cloud and rain increasing by the afternoon. Temperatures are likely to remain below average through the period, keeping ice warnings possible overnight. Into the weekend the pattern stays unsettled with further bands of rain mixed with brighter intervals; Atlantic air may push temperatures up in sheltered spots, with the potential for highs of up to 16°C before a return closer to average the following week.

• Early Wednesday morning: yellow warning for rain and snow in Northern Ireland comes into force; rain warning for southern England active.
• Wednesday late afternoon into evening: rain shifts northwards into Wales, west Midlands and northern England; hill snow develops.
• Overnight into Thursday: snow and icy patches risk difficult travel; targeted warnings in Wales run until 06: 00–10: 00 GMT on Thursday.

If you’re wondering why this keeps coming up: the combination of recent north‑westerly winds, a marked temperature drop and incoming rain from the south and west is producing both coastal/heavy rain problems and wintry hazards on higher ground.

Recent updates indicate some accumulation estimates differ between forecasts; details may evolve and local hour‑by‑hour updates remain important.