Snow Storm Weather Forecast: snow storm weather forecast as snow and rain warnings continue

snow storm weather forecast warnings have been issued across the UK as yellow alerts for rain, snow and ice come into force. Wintry scenes were recorded in Aboyne in Aberdeenshire on Tuesday as forecasters warned of travel disruption, flooding and power cuts.

Snow Storm Weather Forecast Warnings

A yellow Met Office warning for rain and snow came into force across Northern Ireland early on Wednesday morning, while a yellow warning for rain covers southern parts of England. Another Met Office yellow warning for snow is due to begin later across parts of Wales, the Midlands and the southern Pennines, with an ice warning for Wales also kicking in during the evening.

Where snow and rain fall

Cloud amounts have been increasing from the south and west, with rain pushing in across parts of Northern Ireland, Wales and southern England and already turning to snow over some hills. Northern Ireland will continue to see a mix of wet and wintry weather throughout Wednesday, with persistent rain at low levels and snow over high ground, especially the Sperrins.

How much rain and snow

In the wettest locations of southern England, 30-50mm (1. 2-2. 0in) of rain could fall, and many areas are expected to see 10-20 mm, with 20-30 mm possible along the south coast and up to 50 mm across Dartmoor. Several centimetres of snow are expected to accumulate over high ground, above around 150-200m elevation, with the possibility of up to 15cm over the highest ground of mid and south-east Wales, as well as Herefordshire, Shropshire and the southern Pennines.

Northern Ireland, Sperrins and winds

Across Northern Ireland, a Yellow Warning covers rain that is falling as snow over high ground before easing later. While lower levels are likely to see little or no lying snow, several centimetres could accumulate above 250 metres, especially across the Sperrins, accompanied by strong southeasterly winds. Wind gusts of 45-55mph were highlighted as an extra hazard that could increase impacts and produce large waves on east-facing coasts, particularly along the English Channel.

Travel disruption and power cuts

Forecasters warned of travel disruption, power cuts and a chance of rural villages becoming cut off with snow and ice coming to large parts of Wales. A yellow warning affects 18 counties, with snow expected until 06: 00 GMT on Thursday and a yellow warning for ice in the same area in effect until 10: 00 on Thursday. Travellers can expect a "small chance" of delays on roads due to stranded vehicles and with train and flight schedules.

There is a slight chance that some rural communities could become cut off, the Met Office said, and there is also a small chance of cuts to power and mobile service with strong winds forecast. People living in higher ground in mid and southeast Wales could see up to 20cm (8in) of snow. The counties affected by the yellow warnings include 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.

Forecast details and outlook

Chief Forecaster Jason Kelly said: "There is potential for rain, sleet and snow to affect parts of Wales, central England and the southern Pennines from Wednesday evening into early Thursday. Snowfall of 2-5 cm is likely above 150-200 metres, with 10-15 cm possible above 250-300 metres across mid and southeast Wales, as well as Herefordshire, Shropshire and the southern Pennines. Small amounts, generally less than 2 cm, may fall at lower levels. " He added that strong east to northeasterly winds could increase impacts and that ice is a risk as temperatures drop overnight.

It comes after north-westerly winds led to a drop in temperatures across the country in recent days, with the UK Health Security Agency issuing a cold weather alert covering most of England until 18: 00 GMT on Friday. Temperatures on Tuesday night dropped below -9C (16F) in parts of north-east Scotland, and many northern and central parts of the UK have seen a frosty start to Wednesday.

As the rain shifts northwards into Wales, the west Midlands and northern England during the late afternoon and evening, some of it will turn to snow, especially over the hills. At low levels a mix of rain and sleet is more likely, with the possibility of a little wet snow at times. Some snow could also start to affect the Peak District, Pennines and possibly south-west Scotland during the night.

Yellow National Severe Weather Warnings remain in force until Thursday morning. As the system clears on Thursday, most areas will turn drier, although Northern Ireland and western Scotland will see cloud and rain increasing by the afternoon and further ice warnings overnight remain possible. The outlook into the weekend stays unsettled with further bands of rain interspersed with brighter intervals; temperatures could become increasingly mild for the time of year, with potential highs of up to 16°C in sheltered places before returning closer to average into next week.

There remains some uncertainty in the forecast and forecasters urged people to keep up to date with hour-by-hour details. The coverage of disruption extended beyond the UK, with a nor'easter storm noted as having led to travel restrictions in multiple areas, including a full travel ban in New York City. Footage has shown 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 warning referenced fog leaving its aircraft "in the wrong place, " and an airport described a change as a "faster, more convenient option" in line with other UK airport charges.

Travelers and residents in affected areas are being advised to prepare for difficult travelling conditions on Wednesday evening and overnight and for possible power cuts as the wet and wintry mix moves through.