Met Office names 32 areas facing snow on Thursday – full list | UK | News
England is bracing for fresh snowfall and disruption within hours after the Met Office issued a yellow weather warning covering much of England and Wales. Forecasters say a round of wintry weather will arrive Wednesday afternoon and into Thursday, leaving drivers facing dangerous roads, transportation delays and the risk of power outages.
In its warning, the Met Office warned: “Although there is some uncertainty in the details, there is the potential for rain and snow to affect parts of Wales, central England and the southern Pennines on Wednesday evening and overnight into Thursday.” The warning runs from 4pm on Wednesday until 6am on Thursday, and comes just as commuters prepare for the morning rush hour. Weather experts say snow and ice could create hazardous driving conditions and affect public transportation throughout the warning area.
Forecasters say accumulations will vary depending on elevation:
10-15cm possible above 250-300m in mid and south-east Wales, Herefordshire, Shropshire and parts of the south Pennines
Snowfall will be accompanied by strong winds from east to northeast, which may intensify the effects in places.
Snowfall is expected to increase as the rain turns into winter due to the cold weather across the country.
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Forecasters warn that snowfall could cause widespread disruption, especially during the Thursday morning commute, while icy surfaces and poor visibility could make journeys treacherous.
Motorists face slower journeys on unimproved roads, while rail and bus services may also be delayed. There is also a risk of temporary disruption to communities in higher or more rural areas, and power outages cannot be ruled out if conditions worsen overnight.
The Met Office has urged people to prepare before traveling, warning: “Snowy and cold weather can cause delays and make driving conditions hazardous, so to keep yourself and others safe: plan your route, check for delays and road closures, change travel plans if necessary.”
“People cope better when they prepare in advance for the risk of losing services and amenities due to power outages or snow.”
The warning was last updated at 08:49 UTC on Wednesday, February 18, with forecasters expanding the warning zone after “warning area.” [was] extending northwards to the Pennines”, meaning more northern communities, particularly the higher elevations in northern England, are at risk of devastating snowfall overnight into Thursday.
