Parts of UK braced for heavy snow and gale-force winds as Storm Dave arrives | UK weather
Storm Dave is expected to cause travel disruption this Easter weekend, with warnings of heavy snowfall and gusty winds across northern parts of the UK, but a cold weather reprieve could be on the way as temperatures are forecast to reach the mid-20s next week.
The Met Office has issued a yellow severe weather warning for heavy snowfall and blizzards across Scotland, which will cause travel and power cuts. Up to 30 centimeters of snow may fall. A yellow wind warning was issued for the north of England, Scotland and parts of Wales on Saturday evening.
The Met Office has upgraded the severe yellow weather warning for wind to amber, meaning flying debris could cause “injury or danger to life”.
Lancashire, North Yorkshire, Northumberland, North Wales and parts of Scotland are under an amber warning, which will come into force at 7pm on Saturday and remain in force until 3am on Sunday.
Travelers over the Easter weekend have been told there may be disruption to roads, as well as rail, airline and ferry services.
Met Office meteorologist Greg Dewhurst said: “There is cold weather in Scotland at the moment and as rain picks up this afternoon it will turn to snow. We will see heavy snow develop in parts of the Highlands for the remainder of the afternoon as we move into the evening and early hours. 20 to 30 centimeters could fall from high ground and five to 10 centimeters from low ground.”
According to Dewhurst, temperatures are expected to rise after Easter Monday as warm air arrives from Europe; “temperatures will rise into the low 20s, with a high on Tuesday around 20C or 21C and possibly 23C or 24C on Wednesday”.
Temperatures in the mid-20s are normal for April, he said, as the sun begins to strengthen.
The Met Office still has multiple amber and amber weather warnings for wind covering the whole of mainland Scotland, Northern Ireland, parts of northern England and north Wales from Saturday evening to Sunday.
There may also be hazardous conditions, such as large waves along the coastline and winds of up to 90 miles per hour in open areas.
Storm Dave will be hit hardest on Saturday evening, then begin to weaken as it moves towards the North Sea on Sunday.
Scotland’s first minister, John Swinney, urged people to follow authorities’ advice. He told PA Media: “Weather warnings are issued when we have information indicating that difficult conditions will occur and we expect these difficult conditions to occur later today.
“So my advice to the public would be to follow all the advice available and ensure they stay safe.”
The RAC has predicted this will be the busiest Easter on the roads since 2022. Travel trade organization Abta has predicted that 2 million people from the UK will travel abroad between Good Friday and Easter Monday.
Drivers in Scotland are urged to check their journeys before setting off.
Network Rail Scotland said the worst affected lines would be on the Ayrshire coast, the east coast main line and the north-east.
