Warning: Yellow
To expect: Snow
Affected area: Multiple, listed below
Start time estimate: Saturday 7pm
End time estimate: Sunday 11am
The Met Office has announced a Yellow snow and ice alert for several regions across the UK until Sunday midday.
The warning is covering parts of Central, Tayside and Fife, Grampian, Highlands and Eilean Siar, Northern Ireland, SW Scotland, Lothian Borders, Strathclyde. All local areas affected are listed below.
Snow flurries are set to impact the regions, beginning at around 7pm on Saturday and tapering off by 11am on Sunday.
The Yellow alert for snow and ice was issued at 10:54am on Saturday, January 25.
A Met Office forecast said: “Showers, mostly of rain and sleet at lowest levels and near western coasts, but of snow above around 150m, are expected to affect the area during Saturday evening and overnight, before dying away during Sunday morning. Temporary slushy deposits are expected below 150m, with locally 2-5cm above this level with the chance of 5-10cm above 400m in the Scottish Highlands. Additionally icy patches will form on untreated surfaces.”
What to expect
Some roads and railways likely to be affected with longer journey times by road, bus and train services; Some injuries from slips and falls on icy surfaces; Probably some icy patches on some untreated roads, pavements and cycle paths.
What should you do?
Snowy, wintry weather can cause delays and make driving conditions dangerous. Keep yourself and others safe by planning your route, giving yourself extra time for your journey. Check for road closures or delays to public transport and amend plans if necessary. If driving, make sure you have some essentials in your car in the event of any delays (e.g., warm clothing, food, water, a blanket, a torch, ice scraper/de icer, a warning triangle, high visibility vest and an in-car phone charger). Be prepared for weather warnings to change quickly: when a weather warning is issued, the Met Office recommends staying up to date with the weather forecast in your area. If you need to make a journey on foot, try to use pavements along main roads which are likely to be less slippery. Similarly, if cycling, try and stick to main roads which are more likely to have been treated. Give yourself the best chance of avoiding delays by checking road conditions if driving, or bus and train timetables, amending your travel plans if necessary. For further details see https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/weather/warnings-and-advice/uk-warnings.
Full list of local areas affected
Central, Tayside and Fife
Angus, Clackmannanshire, Dundee, Falkirk, Fife, Perth and Kinross, Stirling
Grampian
Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire, Moray
Highlands and Eilean Siar
Highland
Northern Ireland
County Antrim, County Armagh, County Down, County Fermanagh, County Londonderry, County Tyrone
SW Scotland, Lothian Borders
Dumfries and Galloway, East Lothian, Edinburgh, Midlothian Council, Scottish Borders, West Lothian
Strathclyde
Argyll and Bute, East Ayrshire, East Dunbartonshire, East Renfrewshire, Glasgow, Inverclyde, North Ayrshire, North Lanarkshire, Renfrewshire, South Ayrshire, South Lanarkshire, West Dunbartonshire
What is a yellow weather warning?
The Met Office has three categories of weather warning, depending on the likely impact of severe weather and also how likely it is to strike in a particular area.
A yellow warning is issued when weather conditions are expected to disrupt travel and traffic and may impact on daily routines but are not likely to pose a risk to life or property.
An amber warning is more severe and advises people to think about changing their plans to minimise the risk.
A red warning means weather conditions are expected to be dangerous with widespread damage to property and a risk to life, with the public usually advised to avoid travelling.
The Yellow weather alert for snow and ice will remain in effect until 11am on Sunday.