Britons are being warned to brace for a severe and potentially hazardous bout of wintry weather later this month, with forecast maps indicating the arrival of two rare and dangerous phenomena: freezing rain and ice pellets.
Arctic Blast Set to Return
After a brief milder spell, the UK is set for another significant plunge in temperatures as an Arctic air mass sweeps southwards. Weather charts from WXCharts show temperatures could tumble to as low as -10C in parts of Scotland, with widespread sub-zero conditions expected across the country.
The final week of January is predicted to see heavy snow and unsettled conditions, driven by low-pressure systems from the north clashing with high pressure to the east and west. A stark temperature divide is forecast for January 28, with the north remaining bitterly cold while the south may see temperatures rise to low single figures.
The Threat of Freezing Rain
Weather maps for January 28 show unusual orange colouring, signalling the risk of freezing rain. This is expected to initially affect northern Scotland in the early hours, moving across to eastern and western parts of the country through the day, with a patch potentially reaching Yorkshire overnight.
Freezing rain is exceptionally hazardous. It occurs when snow melts into rain as it falls through a layer of warm air, then passes through a deep layer of sub-zero air near the ground. The droplets become 'supercooled', remaining liquid despite being below 0°C. Upon hitting a frozen surface, they instantly spread and freeze, coating everything in a clear, slick layer of ice.
The Met Office warns this can create extremely dangerous travel conditions, turning roads and pathways into ice rinks. The weight of the ice can also bring down trees and power lines, while posing a severe risk to aviation.
Risk of Ice Pellets
Concurrently, weather maps indicate green areas, representing ice pellets, across central Scotland around midday on January 28 before clearing by nightfall.
Ice pellets form when snowflakes partially melt and then refreeze into small, grain-like particles before reaching the ground. They are typically smaller than hailstones and bounce on impact. While showers are often short-lived, the Met Office notes they can accumulate into a dense, slippery covering similar to snow.
Official Long-Range Forecast
The Met Office's outlook for January 20 to 29 highlights an increased chance of a cold spell developing towards the month's end. It states: "Later in the period, there is an increased chance that conditions will turn colder. This aspect of the forecast is still somewhat uncertain but the potential transition to colder weather also increases the chance of snow across parts of the country."
Authorities are urging the public to stay updated with the latest weather warnings and travel advice as this potentially disruptive Arctic blast approaches.
