The Met Office has issued amber weather warnings, signaling a “danger to life” as heavy snowfall is expected in parts of the UK. These alerts are accompanied by four yellow warnings for snow and ice, as well as an additional yellow warning solely for ice. The amber warnings, effective from 11am to 7pm, encompass various regions in Scotland such as Central, Tayside & Fife, Grampian, and Highlands & Eilean Siar. These areas may experience 5 to 10cm of snowfall widely, with potential accumulations of up to 15cm on elevated terrains. This comes on top of the recent snowfall on Monday, where some areas received 20 to 30cm of snow under a yellow snow and ice warning.
According to the Met Office, a significant snowfall is forecasted to move eastward across central and northern Scotland on Tuesday, transitioning to wintry showers by Tuesday night. The public is strongly advised against driving in snowy or icy conditions unless absolutely necessary, to minimize risks to themselves and others. Considering the likelihood of power outages, individuals are encouraged to prepare by stocking up on essentials such as torches and a mobile phone power pack. Moreover, special attention should be given to vulnerable groups including the elderly, individuals with underlying health conditions, and those living alone.
The weather conditions are expected to improve by late morning as snow and ice clear out for most regions, with alerts in place from midnight to 11am. However, the warning for snow and ice in central and northern mainland Scotland remains in effect throughout the day. Meanwhile, a separate ice warning is active in Northern Ireland from 5pm today (Monday) until 10am tomorrow (Tuesday).
In the Met Office’s five-day forecast from Monday, January 5, to Friday, January 9, the UK weather pattern is described as persistently cold with intermittent snow showers. Tuesday’s outlook includes cold temperatures, with rain, sleet, and snow anticipated in the northern regions, while the south can expect drier conditions with clear skies before the onset of precipitation later in the day.
