Residents across the UK are bracing for significant disruptions as a three-day snow warning has been issued for nearly all of England, Wales, and parts of Scotland this weekend. With warnings coming from the Met Office, rural communities are particularly at risk of becoming cut off due to heavy snowfall.
The yellow weather warning is set to be active from noon on Saturday until 9am on Monday. During this period, the Met Office predicts widespread snowfall of about 5cm across the Midlands, Wales, and northern England. Significantly, mountainous areas could see accumulations ranging from 20 to 30 cm, especially over higher ground such as the Pennines. Met Office meteorologist Tom Morgan noted, “At the moment we’ve issued a very large snow warning for Saturday until Monday but it doesn’t mean everywhere within the warning could see snow; it’s just a heads-up there could be some impacts.”
Weather concerns don't stop at snow; many areas are also dealing with strong winds and heavy rain. A concurrent yellow wind warning is active until 3pm on Wednesday, forecasting winds of up to 60 mph, with gusts hitting 75 mph near coastal regions and hills. This turbulent weather has already caused disruptions, as evidenced by the delayed start of London’s New Year’s Day Parade, which was pushed back by 30 minutes due to high winds.
Recent heavy rains have left England’s North West and parts of Wales soaked, with some locations experiencing nearly a month’s worth of rain within just 48 hours. Honister Pass, near Keswick, recorded close to 6 inches (150mm), and Rochdale saw about 3 inches (77mm) of rain. Greater Manchester Police declared a major incident as widespread flooding took hold of the area following these deluges, affecting neighborhoods like Bolton, Stockport, and Wigan. Chief Superintendent Colette Rose stated this move was necessary to enable coordinated emergency efforts and to keep the public safe.
Weather authorities issued over 120 flood warnings across England, with others for Wales and Scotland, indicating expected flooding. Ben Lukey, flood duty manager at the Environment Agency, cautioned about the potential for "significant inland flooding" after the heavy rainfall. “Environment Agency teams will be out on the ground, operating flood defences, taking action to reduce the impact of flooding, issuing flood warnings and supporting those communities affected,” he said.
Adding to the weather woes, travel for the New Year is expected to be disrupted as snow turns to rain down south. Transport services are already feeling the brunt of the weather, with some railway routes disrupted or blocked, especially across Northern services and TransPennine Express. National Highways reported numerous road closures, including some motorway sections hit hard by flooding.
The Met Office’s yellow ice warning issued for Northern Ireland, North Wales, and parts of England and Scotland signifies the likely continuation of perilous travel conditions. Local authorities and emergency services urge anyone traveling or out celebrating the New Year to exercise caution.
Individuals and families are being reminded to stay updated and prepare for potentially severe weather impacts over the weekend. Charlotte Morgan, Tactical Manager for Nation Resources Wales, emphasized, “Our teams will be doing all they can to reduce the risk for communities, but we want to make sure people are doing all they can to keep themselves safe. People should keep away from swollen rivers, and not drive or walk through flood water.”
With the outlook for the weekend potentially altering rapidly, Met Office experts highlight the importance of staying tuned to weather updates, especially if travel plans are set for Sunday or Monday. They note the snow’s duration could vary widely, warning those living and traveling during this period to be exceptionally vigilant.
Residents are advised to stay indoors if possible and avoid unnecessary travel during the storm's peak. With the weather posing direct risks to safety and service disruptions likely, adherence to these warnings will be key for ensuring community safety.
It’s certainly going to be a challenging few days as the UK tries to weather this winter storm. The path forward will hinge on how well communities manage these conditions and heed authorities' calls for safety as we head deep within winter’s icy grasp.