An amber weather warning for snow has been activated across parts of north-east England, with the Met Office forecasting dangerous blizzard conditions and potential travel chaos.
Widespread Disruption and Hazardous Conditions
The national forecaster has warned that the worst-affected regions could experience significant travel disruption and potential power cuts. Up to 25cm of snow is expected to settle on high ground, particularly across the North York Moors and surrounding areas, where the alert remains active until 9pm on Thursday.
Met Office meteorologist Greg Dewhurst stated: "Thursday will be a sunny day for most, but there will be further sleet and snow showers for coastal stretches which will filter a little inland too. Heavy across north-east England in particular."
He confirmed that the highest snowfall totals from Wednesday night through Thursday would likely be across the Sperrins, North Yorkshire Moors, Northwest Highlands, Grampians and upland Pembrokeshire.
Travel Chaos and Safety Warnings
The Met Office has said that rural communities could become cut off within the amber warning zone as gusty winds create "occasional blizzard conditions," with lightning posing an additional hazard.
Motorists already faced treacherous conditions across the North East on Wednesday night. North Yorkshire Police urged drivers to avoid the A171 near Whitby after multiple vehicles became stuck in the snow. Officers were also forced to close the A169 between Whitby and Pickering due to the heavy snowfall.
Shaun Jones, an AA Expert Patrol, advised: "When snow and ice hit, the roads can quickly become treacherous. Stopping distances can increase tenfold on icy surfaces, so slowing down and leaving plenty of space is absolutely vital. Drivers should plan ahead, stick to main routes and allow extra time for their journey."
National Rail has urged rail commuters to check their journeys before travelling, warning that speed restrictions may be necessary for safety, potentially resulting in cancellations and delays.
Frigid Temperatures and Future Outlook
The cold Arctic air continues to grip the nation, with temperatures dropping to as low as -6C at Spadeadam in Cumbria overnight. However, the coldest spell may still be ahead.
The Met Office has warned that temperatures could plummet to a biting -12C in areas of lying snow in Scotland on Friday.
While temperatures are expected to rise closer to seasonal averages over the weekend with the arrival of wetter and windier weather, the forecaster confirmed it would not be as "exceptionally mild" as the conditions experienced earlier in November.
In addition to the amber warning, five separate yellow warnings for snow and ice are in place across the country on Thursday, with alerts for the coast of north-east England, Cornwall, Devon, and western Wales active until 11.59pm.
