As a snowy front approaches, the Met Office advises residents in 51 regions to ensure they have three key items on hand.
A warning for ice and snow is in effect from 2 am to 3 pm on Sunday, encompassing a large portion of Scotland and northern England. Snow accumulation of up to 10cm is expected in lower areas, while higher terrain above 200m could see depths of up to 20cm, accompanied by strong winds leading to drifting snow and widespread icy conditions.
The public has been alerted to potential travel disruptions, stranded vehicles, slip-and-fall injuries on icy surfaces, and potential power outages affecting mobile phone connectivity. To ensure safety, the Met Office recommends having torches, batteries, and a mobile phone power pack, along with any other necessary supplies.
Regions Affected:
The current alert mirrors the previous day’s snow and ice warning but extends its coverage to more areas in the North West while reducing the coverage in the East Midlands and Yorkshire. An additional amber warning for heavy and continuous snowfall has been issued for Central, Tayside & Fife, Grampian, and Highlands & Eilean Siar for Sunday.
Simultaneously, a yellow ice warning remains in place until midday today for London, South East England, East Midlands, East of England, North West England, South West England, West Midlands, Yorkshire & Humber, and Wales. The warning highlights risks of refreezing partially thawed snow, freezing fog, and wintry showers, potentially leading to icy surfaces and an increased risk of slips and falls.
Additionally, a separate yellow warning for snow and ice from yesterday evening until this morning covers Northern Ireland, where icy patches and hill snow are anticipated.
These alerts come after Storm Goretti caused power outages, travel disruptions, and school closures affecting tens of thousands of individuals. The storm brought strong gusts up to 99mph to South West England, leading to flight delays and cancellations at major airports like London Heathrow and Birmingham.