Persistent Wintry Conditions Sweep Across the UK with Snow and Ice Warnings

Chilly Weather to Persist with Freezing Overnight Temperatures

The UK is bracing for continued wintry weather on Thursday, as temperatures are expected to dip below freezing overnight. Snowfall and icy conditions will impact various regions, prompting the Met Office to issue multiple weather warnings.

Yellow alerts for snow and ice cover Northern Ireland, northern and central Scotland, as well as coastal parts of south-west Wales and several areas in south-west, east, and north-east England. Meanwhile, a more serious amber warning is active for the North York Moors and sections of the Yorkshire Wolds, where snow accumulations could reach between 15 and 25 centimeters (6 to 10 inches) on elevated terrain.

In addition, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has raised cold-weather health alerts across England until Saturday, highlighting potential severe effects on elderly populations and individuals with pre-existing health conditions.

Snowfall and Disruptions Across the Country

From London stretching all the way to Shetland, snow was reported on Wednesday, causing widespread disruption. Numerous schools in northeast Scotland and the Highlands were forced to close, while key routes such as the Woodhead Pass in Derbyshire and the B4391 in northwest Wales experienced closures due to hazardous conditions.

Overnight lows could plunge to -5°C (23°F) in Scotland and northern England, with other parts of England and eastern Wales seeing temperatures around -3°C (27°F). The combination of frost and residual moisture from rain and sleet increases the risk of icy patches on roads and pavements, potentially leading to delays or cancellations in bus and train services.

Despite these challenges, the current weather is not expected to match the severity of last year’s harsh winter spell, which saw Nottingham buried under 12 cm of snow and hundreds of schools shuttered.

Long-Term Trends: Declining Cold Spells Amid Climate Change

Over recent decades, the Met Office has documented a notable decline in the frequency, duration, and intensity of cold weather episodes, a trend closely linked to global climate change. According to the latest State of the Climate Report, the incidence of air and ground frosts has decreased by approximately 25% since the 1980s, reflecting a warming climate.

Current Yellow Warnings: Areas at Risk

The Met Office has issued yellow warnings for snow and ice on Thursday in the following regions:

• Cornwall, parts of Devon, and the Welsh counties of Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion, Pembrokeshire, and Swansea (until 23:59 GMT)
• North East England, southwest Scotland, Lothian Borders, and Yorkshire & Humber (until 23:59 GMT)
• Central and northern Scotland (until 21:00 GMT)
• Norfolk, Suffolk, Cambridgeshire, and Lincolnshire (until 11:00 GMT)
• Northern Ireland (until 12:00 GMT)

Amber Warning and the Phenomenon of Thundersnow

An amber warning is active for North Yorkshire from 03:00 to 21:00 GMT on Thursday, with persistent snow expected, particularly on hills above 100 meters. This could cause significant disruption to travel and daily activities.

Forecasters have also indicated the possibility of thundersnow in some areas, including the North York Moors and parts of the Scottish Highlands. Thundersnow is a rare meteorological event where thunder and lightning occur during a snowstorm, resulting in intense snowfall rather than rain.

In Wales, the snow warning is associated with the “Pembrokeshire Dangler,” a weather pattern where a band of showers forms over the relatively warmer Irish Sea and moves southward over Pembrokeshire, leading to localized heavy snow showers.

Temperature Outlook and Health Advisory

Daytime temperatures across most parts of the UK on Thursday are expected to hover between 4°C and 6°C. A gradual warming trend is anticipated over the weekend, with temperatures returning to seasonal averages by Saturday.

The UKHSA has issued amber cold-health alerts for the North West, North East, and Yorkshire & Humber regions until 08:00 GMT Saturday, while the rest of England remains under yellow alerts. These advisories primarily target health and social care providers, warning of increased pressure on services due to the cold and the heightened vulnerability of certain groups.