Frequent wintry showers are expected on Thursday, which could lead to significant snow accumulations and disruption, the Met Office has warned. Road travel may be delayed, with some vehicles and passengers stranded.
The Met Office said: “Power cuts are likely and other services, such as mobile phone coverage, may be affected. There is a good chance that some rural communities could become cut off. Some delays and cancellations to train and bus services are likely.”
Snow will move inland from the North Sea, giving substantial accumulations over the North York Moors and parts of the Yorkshire Wolds. By the end of Thursday, as much as 15 to 25 centimetres may fall on hills above 100 metres, causing further disruption. Gusty winds, occasional blizzard conditions and even a few lightning strikes may accompany some showers, creating additional hazards.
The amber warning specifically affects Redcar and Cleveland, East Riding of Yorkshire and North Yorkshire. Multiple yellow National Severe Weather Warnings for ice and snow have also been issued for the coming days, covering Northern Ireland, parts of Wales, northern and southwest England and much of Scotland.
The Met Office advised the public to prepare for the cold and snowy conditions. “With freezing temperatures and the potential for snow and ice in places, there are a number of simple steps you can take to prepare your home, garden, or business for the winter weather,” it said.
The Met Office also highlighted its WeatherReady pages, offering seasonal advice from expert organisations on how to stay safe and protect property. This includes preventing pipes from bursting in sub zero temperatures and preparing vehicles for challenging conditions.
