Latest forecast maps from WX Charts, which use Met Desk data, have turned almost entirely white, indicating snowfall across large parts of the UK. The projections, based on the Global Forecast System (GFS), show snow moving into the Highlands, the West Midlands, southern England, Wales and Northern Ireland from Tuesday, 3 February.
Weather models suggest that few areas will escape unsettled conditions, with snow flurries and heavy rain forecast to continue into Wednesday, 4 February. Of particular concern is the likelihood of freezing rain, a phenomenon the Met Office describes as both rare and hazardous.
Freezing rain occurs when rain falls through a layer of cold air near the ground, freezing instantly on contact with surfaces such as roads, pavements and power lines. This can create a near-invisible layer of ice, significantly increasing the risk of accidents and disruption.
The Met Office said: “Freezing rain is fairly rare in the UK. When it does occur, the consequences can be devastating.” It cited a notable example from January 1996, when freezing rain affected Wales, south-west England and the Midlands, causing widespread disruption.
Forecasters added that freezing rain typically develops at the end of a cold spell, when milder air moves in above colder air trapped at the surface.
Motorists and pedestrians across Birmingham and the West Midlands are being urged to stay alert as conditions develop, with travel disruption, icy roads and hazardous walking conditions possible if the forecast materialises.
