UK weather: up to 10cm of snow to cause travel chaos with severe flood warnings issued

Dozens of flood warnings have been implemented after meteorologists warned of more freezing temperatures and up to 10 centimeters of snow to fall today.

And there are further warnings that more torrential rains will hit the country in the coming days, as 32 flood warnings, meaning ‘immediate action’ is needed, remain in place.

It comes after the UK saw what meteorologists called the “snowiest period” in two years, when 20 weather stations in England recorded accumulations of 5 cm or more for three consecutive days.

Snow and ice weather warnings are in effect in all four nations today, just days after vast swaths of the already storm-ravaged country were covered in snow.

In parts of England and Wales, the Met Office warns of slip and fall injuries on icy surfaces, as well as icy patches on untreated roads, sidewalks and cycle lanes.

The yellow warning for snow is until 10 am this morning.

Elsewhere, in parts of the north of England and Scotland, snow will develop during the morning and afternoon.

Forecasters said up to 10 centimeters of snow could fall in higher areas with a warning from 11 a.m. this morning until midnight.

The Met Office said roads and railways could be affected with longer travel times by highway, bus and train services due to snow on the hills.

In Northern Ireland, an ice warning is in effect until 10am this morning.

The Environment Agency currently has 32 flood alerts, meaning ‘immediate action’ is needed, as well as 54 less severe flood alerts.

Forecaster Oli Claydon said more heavy rain and 40 mph winds are likely to hit south-west England and Wales starting tomorrow, with bad weather moving east through Thursday.

He said: “It is likely that it will rain everywhere over the next week as it moves from west to east. Weather systems will pass virtually everywhere in the UK.”

Yesterday, more snowfall was recorded and Loch Glascarnoch in the Scottish Highlands recorded the largest accumulation of snow, with 17 cm (6.7 inches) at 6 a.m. on Monday.

He was closely followed by the village of Wittering in Cambridgeshire, who woke up at about 15cm, while 8cm fell in Coleshill, Warwickshire.

In contrast, only 2 cm were recorded at Heathrow in West London and 5 cm in the Shropshire village of Shawbury.

Today:

Early clouds, rain and snow from hills over Northern Ireland, Wales and south-west England moving east. The rain then stalled in southern and central Scotland later with some snow drifts for the hills. Many feel cold, but become milder in the west.

Tonight:

More persistent rain clearing to the east leaving a fairly cloudy night with some light rain and drizzle. Less cold for many nights than recent ones. Northern Scotland is drier and colder.

Wednesday:

Partly cloudy with some light rain and drizzle. More widespread rain coming from the southwest during the afternoon. N Scotland, colder and drier, but rain for Shetlands.