Parts of the United Kingdom have been plunged into travel chaos as heavy blizzards and the threat of a rare weather phenomenon known as 'thundersnow' hit the country. The Met Office issued an amber weather warning for snow and ice on Thursday, 20th November, as temperatures plummeted to a staggering minus 12 degrees Celsius.
Widespread Disruption and Dangerous Roads
The severe wintry conditions led to significant disruption, particularly in the North and East Yorkshire regions. Heavy snow descended, leaving roads in the North York Moors "impassable" after an accumulation of 25cm. This forced the closure of dozens of schools and several tourist attractions.
North Yorkshire Council dispatched gritting crews overnight but issued a stark warning to drivers. In a post on X, the council stated that "gritting does not guarantee an ice- or snow-free surface" and urged residents to carefully consider whether their journeys were absolutely necessary. The precarious conditions were highlighted by several incidents, including an overturned vehicle on the A19 in Sunderland and another car crashing into a ditch on the A171 near Lingdale.
The Rare Threat of 'Thundersnow'
Forecasters issued a specific warning for the North York Moors and the Highlands of Scotland, indicating they could experience the unusual event of "thundersnow." This phenomenon occurs when thunderstorms form in wintry conditions, resulting in heavy snowfall instead of rain. It is an exceptionally rare event, happening in only about seven of every 100,000 thunderstorms.
Chief Forecaster Steve Willington from the Met Office explained the ongoing situation, stating, "We're still in the grip of a cold, Arctic air mass today and into Friday, and that means further wintry showers for some, and ice, particularly overnight." He confirmed that multiple weather warnings remain in force across the country.
Community Impact and Emergency Response
While the weather caused major travel headaches, it also provided an opportunity for some families, who headed out to sledge as schools were closed not only in North Yorkshire but also in Devon and Cornwall. Meanwhile, emergency services and snow ploughs, like those seen on the A169 between Pickering and Whitby, worked tirelessly to keep communities connected and prevent areas from being completely cut off by the deep snow. The Met Office has indicated that this wintry pattern is expected to shift over the coming weekend.
