November 20th 2024.
The small town of Holmfirth, nestled in the picturesque countryside of west Yorkshire, has been facing some rather harsh weather conditions lately. It seems like a trip to the local Tesco is now akin to a trek to the North Pole, and unfortunately, the cold spell is far from over.
According to the Met Office, there are new weather warnings in place for snow and ice, with some areas potentially seeing up to 20cm of snowfall tonight. And it doesn't stop there - Saturday is expected to bring even more snow to the Midlands and northern regions, while the southern areas will be hit with a heavy dose of rain. This sudden burst of winter is all thanks to an Arctic blast that has swept through the UK, leaving us all feeling a bit like we're living in Lapland.
As expected, the extreme weather has caused quite a bit of disruption. National Express coaches have been caught on camera sliding down hills, drivers have had to abandon their cars, and health alerts have been issued for vulnerable individuals. But amidst all the chaos, one can't help but admire the beauty of the snow-covered landscape.
For those who are fans of the white stuff, this weekend might just be your lucky break. Well, except if you live in Wales, where the snow seems to have given it a miss. And let's not forget that not all snow is created equal - some areas may have gotten a little extra help from the residents in building their snowmen.
As seen in photos from the North York Moors National Park and Cullercoats Bay in North Tyneside, the snow has definitely made its presence known. In fact, last night the temperature in Warcop, Cumbria dropped to a bone-chilling -7.5°C, while the average low for this time of year across the nation is 4°C.
So what exactly are the current weather warnings in place according to the Met Office UK? Well, there's a yellow warning for snow and possible hail in parts of north and west Scotland until midday tomorrow. The forecast predicts 2cm to 5cm of snow, with some areas in the north-west mainland receiving up to 10cm and higher ground potentially seeing 15cm to 20cm.
For most of Scotland, the East and West Midlands, the east, north-east and north-west of England, Northern Ireland, Wales and Yorkshire, there's a yellow warning for ice, with a few sleet or snow showers expected until midday tomorrow. Parts of south-west England have also been issued a yellow warning for snow from 5am to 3pm tomorrow, with 5cm to 10cm predicted in higher parts of Dartmoor. And on Saturday, heavy snow is expected to be followed by a rapid thaw and rain in the north-east and north-west of England, the West Midlands, Yorkshire, and much of Scotland.
The Met Office has also issued a yellow warning for potential flooding, stating that floodwater could pose a danger to life, some rural communities may become cut off, and travel may be disrupted. This warning is in place from Saturday to Sunday morning in south-west England and Wales.
According to Andrea Bishop, spokesperson for the Met Office, a deep area of low pressure is set to bring heavy rainfall to a large part of the UK this weekend. The forecast predicts 50mm to 75mm of rain in most areas, with the possibility of up to 100mm to 125mm in Dartmoor.
As a result of the severe weather, more than 100 schools and nurseries have been closed in Scotland, and there has been a significant increase in vehicle breakdowns due to the cold weather and hazardous road conditions, as reported by the RAC.
With the winter weather taking hold, the UK Health Security Agency has issued an amber cold weather health alert, warning that conditions could be dangerous for vulnerable individuals, particularly the elderly. So if you know someone who may need extra assistance during this time, be sure to check in on them and lend a helping hand.
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