Met Office Snow Warning as Wintry Weather Returns to UK With Wind, Snow and Rain Forecast
A met office snow warning covers parts of Scotland as Arctic air returns to the UK, bringing snow, blustery winds and cold showers that could produce frost and icy patches. Snow already fell across some central areas during the Friday morning rush hour, and forecasters say wintry conditions will affect northern and higher ground through the weekend.
Met Office Snow Warning: Area Covered And Timings
The yellow warning for snow and ice applies to an area north of Stirling and around Fort William and remains in place until 9: 00 am ET on Friday. Forecast guidance sets expected accumulations at two to 5cm fairly widely across the warned area, with up to 10cm possible on higher ground above about 350 metres. A separate warning for strong winds affecting parts of Scotland was in force until 8: 00 pm ET on Thursday.
Where warnings apply, forecasters have highlighted the potential for travel disruption and icy surfaces. Rail speed restrictions have been put in place on several routes and some ferry services have been disrupted. Road incidents related to the conditions have already been recorded, including a fallen power line blocking a major carriageway in one area.
Expected Conditions: Snow, Frost, Wind And Showers
Arctic air is limiting daytime temperatures to single digits across much of the UK and the chilly feel will be accentuated by brisk winds. Snow showers affected parts of Scotland’s central belt during the morning rush, and further wintry showers are likely over the hills in Scotland and Northern Ireland. Wintry scenes are also possible across the Lake District and the Pennines in England.
Showers will be mixed with sunny spells at times, and the turbulent atmosphere means hail and isolated thunder are possible. Overnight conditions are expected to bring widespread frost and icy patches in places, with some northern and elevated areas facing freezing minima. In parts of the north and west, heavy showers are possible and temperatures are forecast to run well below average in the near term.
Gusty conditions have already produced strong winds in several regions, with typical gusts of 50–55mph fairly widespread and some coastal locations or areas downwind of high ground seeing stronger gusts. These winds, together with snow and ice, are likely to cause short-term disruption to road, rail, ferry and air services in affected zones.
Areas under the met office snow warning should expect hazardous travel conditions, and motorists and commuters may face delays where sleet, snow or icy surfaces develop.
Short-Term Outlook And What Comes Next
The cold spell is expected to persist into the weekend with further nights of frost across Scotland and Northern Ireland. Saturday is forecast to start frosty but with plenty of sunshine before showers become more frequent later in the day. Sunday looks cloudier with more numerous showers and blustery winds, and there is a renewed chance of showers turning wintry in northern areas by Sunday night.
Forecasters say the colder air will linger until early next week, when conditions should gradually become a little milder and temperatures recover toward a little above the mid-March average. In the meantime, communities and travellers in affected parts of Scotland, the north of England and higher terrain should prepare for wintry showers, icy surfaces and gusty winds while the met office snow warning remains active.
