The mild weather experienced in the UK at the beginning of February is expected to end soon, with a drop in temperatures and potential snowfall. The Met Office has issued a yellow warning for snow in north Wales and parts of northern and central England on Thursday. However, there is uncertainty regarding the amount of snowfall and its exact location.
The yellow warning, which will be in effect from 03:00 GMT Thursday to 03:00 Friday, covers a large area including north Wales, parts of the Midlands, and northern England. There is a slight risk of power cuts, travel delays, stranded vehicles, and disruptions to rail and air travel. Some rural communities may also be cut off.
Snowfall of 2cm is expected at lower levels, but higher ground areas such as Snowdonia and the Pennines could see 10-20cm. The snow may turn to sleet or rain later in the day as milder air moves in from the south.
The forecast is uncertain, and the warning area and amount of snowfall may change in the coming days. Met Office deputy chief meteorologist Chris Almond said that the initial snow risk appears highest in northern England and Wales from Thursday.
Despite signs of spring with early blooming plants, winter is not over yet. On Tuesday and Wednesday, colder air will spread across the UK, bringing temperatures back to average levels and possible wintry showers in Scotland and north-west England.
A yellow warning for ice will be in effect from 00:00 until 09:00 on Tuesday for parts of northern Scotland. A separate warning for rain is in place until 21:00 on Monday for northwestern parts of Scotland.
On Wednesday night, milder air carrying rain will start moving back into the UK. This combination of milder, wetter air pushing into colder air can result in snowfall. However, predicting the exact location and amount of snowfall is challenging. The Met Office anticipates issuing further warnings throughout the week.
