The Met Office has issued amber weather warnings indicating a “danger to life” as parts of the UK prepare for heavy snowfall. Tomorrow, there will be multiple snow alerts in place, including four yellow warnings for snow and ice, and an additional yellow warning solely for ice. The amber warnings will be effective from 11am to 7pm, encompassing various regions in Scotland such as Central, Tayside & Fife, Grampian, and Highlands & Eilean Siar. These areas are anticipated to receive 5 to 10cm of snow widely, with potential accumulations of up to 15cm on elevated terrain. This comes after a previous snowfall on Monday, with some areas experiencing 20 to 30cm, while a yellow snow and ice warning was in effect throughout the day.
The Met Office has indicated that a heavy snow spell is expected to progress eastwards across central and northern Scotland on Tuesday, transitioning to wintry showers by Tuesday night. The national weather service strongly advises against driving in snowy and icy conditions unless absolutely necessary, emphasizing the importance of avoiding risks to oneself and others. With a heightened risk of power outages, people are encouraged to prepare by stocking up on torches, a mobile phone power pack, and essential supplies. Additionally, it is recommended to check on vulnerable individuals, including the elderly, those with underlying health issues, and individuals living alone.
The weather conditions of snow and ice are expected to clear by late morning for most parts of the country, with three alerts scheduled from midnight until 11am. However, the warning for snow and ice in central and northern mainland Scotland will persist throughout the day. Furthermore, a separate ice warning is in place for Northern Ireland from 5pm today (Monday) until 10am tomorrow (Tuesday).
According to the Met Office’s five-day forecast from Monday, January 5, to Friday, January 9, the weather across the UK is predicted to remain very cold with intermittent snow showers. Tuesday is forecasted as another cold day characterized by a mix of rain, sleet, and snow in the north, while the southern regions will experience drier conditions with sunny skies before the onset of rain, sleet, and snow later in the evening.