Snowstorms are expected to make a comeback in various parts of the UK tonight, after days of freezing conditions and below-zero temperatures, with some regions already facing heavy snowfall.
Although it may seem unusual for the UK, both the Met Office and British Gas have shared advice on preparing for snowstorms, offering suggestions on how to get ready and ensure you have the necessary supplies at home to manage in case of heavy snowfall.
The Met Office has forecasted snow and ice across different regions of the UK today, following several days of yellow and amber weather warnings for snow impacting England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.
According to the Met Office, individuals should get ready in case of disruptions that could lead to being isolated. It recommends: “Being prepared in advance for potential power outages or being cut off from services and facilities due to snow helps people cope better. It’s simple to do; consider gathering torches, batteries, a mobile phone power pack, and other essential items.”
In its guidance on preparing for heavy snow, British Gas advises UK households to have seven essential items on hand, including spare batteries, drinking water, extra blankets, and a phone charger, as reported by the Express. It suggests: “Ensure you have essentials like medications, drinking water, non-perishable food, snacks, and extra blankets. Additionally, keep a torch, batteries, and a phone charger nearby.”
The Met Office has issued a strong warning for the weekend, stating: “Snow and ice alerts remain active before a change in weather patterns over the weekend. The UK is still facing wintry hazards today and early Friday, as a cold northerly airstream brings snow showers and icy patches to various parts of the country. Snow and ice alerts are still in effect, with new ice warnings issued for some areas overnight into Friday morning.”
Chief Forecaster Steve Willington cautioned: “We are still under the influence of a cold, Arctic air mass today and heading into Friday, leading to further wintry showers for some areas and icy conditions, especially overnight. Multiple warnings are currently in place, with new alerts issued for the overnight period.”
“Temperatures will drop significantly again tonight, with lows potentially reaching -12C in rural parts of Scotland and generally below freezing elsewhere. As temperatures decrease overnight, ice will form on untreated surfaces, potentially causing travel disruptions tonight and into Friday morning.”
The Met Office’s forecast for Friday reads: “A frosty start will give way to a cold but bright day, although sunshine will become increasingly hazy. Thicker clouds and rain are expected to move into the northwest later.”
Looking ahead from Saturday to Monday, the forecaster mentioned: “Rain showers spreading eastwards on Saturday. The weekend will become less cold but windy, with further rain showers or spells expected on Sunday and Monday, alongside some periods of sunshine.”
For the remainder of November, the Met Office predicts: “Cloudy and showery conditions affecting many eastern coastal areas initially, with showers in the far north possibly turning wintry for a brief period. Elsewhere, a trend towards drier, slightly cooler, and more settled weather as high pressure builds in from the Atlantic; these conditions are likely to extend across all areas by the middle of next week.
“However, this settled period may be short-lived, as cloud and rain associated with Atlantic systems are likely to bring back more changeable, or even unsettled conditions. Towards the end of the period, there is an increasing probability of more settled weather returning, although confidence diminishes at that point. Starting off cold, temperatures are expected to rise as Atlantic weather systems arrive, and temperatures will likely be above average more frequently than below.”
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