Forecasters warn of disruption as snow warning issued

The Met Office has warned of disruption as it issued a yellow warning for snow across a large part of the UK.

The weather warning is in place from 12am to 12pm on Tuesday and stretches from the West Midlands to southern Scotland.

Forecasters have said a band of rain is expected to head northwards across the UK through Monday night and Tuesday morning which will likely turn to snow after it encounters colder air in the warning area.

Locations at 100-metre altitude or higher will mainly be affected, with any snow falling below this level likely to be temporary and quickly melting, the Met Office said.

In areas where snow does accumulate, depths of 1-5cm are likely with some locations above 300-400 metres potentially seeing 5-15 cm, it added.

Forecasters have warned of potential travel disruption on higher level routes with the possibility of ice forming on infrastructure like power lines.

Met Office meteorologist Aidan McGivern said in an evening weather update that there will be an “unsettled picture” on Tuesday.

He said: “It’s during Monday evening that we’re likely to see some freezing rain or snow over upland parts of mid to North Wales, rain at lower levels, and then as that system moves into the colder air across Northern England and southern Scotland during the early hours of Tuesday, we’re likely again to see some significant and disruptive snow above 300 metres for northern England, above about 150-200 metres for southern Scotland.

“That, accompanied by increasingly strong winds, we’re talking about 50-60 mph wind gusts, means that it is going to be hazardous for upland parts of northern England and southern Scotland, with the risk of drifting snow, ice accretion, and blizzards at lower levels.”

He said while there could be a little snow at lower levels, it will likely turn back to rain by the start of the day, adding: “And for where most people live, it will mostly be wet weather rather than wintry weather.”

A yellow warning for ice is also in place across the north of England and Scotland until 10am on Monday.

The Met Office warned of icy patches on some roads and pavements as well as injuries from slips or falls.

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has also issued a yellow cold health alert for the North West, North East and Yorkshire and the Humber.

They will be in place from 9pm on Sunday until 9am on Thursday.

These alerts mean weather conditions could result in an increased use of healthcare services and a greater risk to life for vulnerable people, the agency said.