The United Kingdom is on high alert as a significant snow event is forecast to sweep across the nation, placing as many as 77 counties at risk of accumulations within the next 24 hours. This follows a rare amber weather warning issued by the Met Office for parts of Yorkshire and the North East, where a staggering 25 centimetres of snow could settle.
Widespread Disruption as Snow Blankets the UK
Advanced weather modelling maps from WX Charts and GFS indicate that snow will move on a north-to-south trajectory today, with the potential to reach the southern coast of England. The capital was already given a surprise taste of the wintry conditions, with shock snow falling in London this morning. By Thursday morning, coverage maps suggest up to 80 counties could be waking up to a layer of snow on the ground.
The Met Office has activated multiple yellow weather warnings for snow and ice across vast swathes of the country. The more severe amber warning is a notable escalation, highlighting the potential for serious disruption in parts of northern England. Overnight temperatures are predicted to plummet to a bone-chilling -12°C in Scotland and could drop to -8°C in southern regions.
Full List of Counties at Risk of Snow
The impending cold snap is expected to be widespread, affecting numerous counties across Scotland, England, Wales, and Northern Ireland.
Scotland: Orkney, Caithness, Sutherland, Cromartyshire, Ross-shire, Inverness-shire, Nairnshire, Morayshire, Banffshire, Aberdeenshire, Kincardineshire, Angus, Perthshire, Argyllshire, Fife, Kinross-shire, Clackmannanshire, Stirlingshire, Dunbar, Dunbartonshire, West Lothian, Midlothian, East Lothian, Renfrewshire, Lanarkshire, Peeblesshire, Berwickshire, Ayreshire, Buteshire, Kirkcudbrightshire, Dumfriesshire, Selkirkshire, Roxburghshire.
Northern Ireland: Antrim, Armagh, Down, Fermanagh, Londonderry, Tyrone.
England: Cumberland, Northumberland, Westmorland, Yorkshire, Cheshire, Staffordshire, Derbyshire, Leicestershire, Lincolnshire, Nottinghamshire, Shropshire, Rutland, Worcestershire, Gloucestershire, Warwickshire, Northamptonshire, Norfolk, Suffolk, Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire, Berkshire, Middlesex, Surrey, Sussex, Hampshire, Wiltshire, Herefordshire, Kent, Devon.
Wales: Pembrokeshire, Brecknockshire, Radnorshire, Montgomeryshire, Merionethshire, Denbighshire, Caernarfonshire, Flintshire.
Essential Safety Advice for the Public
With adverse conditions expected to cause significant travel disruption, authorities are urging the public to exercise extreme caution. The Met Office has issued clear guidance for drivers and households to prepare for potential power cuts or isolation.
Brits are advised to plan their routes carefully, checking for delays and road closures before setting off. If driving is necessary, allow extra time and ensure your vehicle is prepared. It is crucial to pack an emergency kit in your car, which should include: warm clothing, food, water, a blanket, a torch, an ice scraper, a warning triangle, a high-visibility vest, and an in-car phone charger.
For the home, the national weather agency recommends gathering torches and batteries, as well as a mobile phone power pack. Being prepared for the risk of disruption to services and amenities can help people cope more effectively with the severe winter weather.
