UK weather: Rare ‘snow thunder’ could disrupt travel and power outages – Met Office issues snow and ice warnings | UK news

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Thundersnow is expected to hit parts of the UK, with forecasters warning that snow and lightning could disrupt travel and cause power outages – after the coldest winter nights yet.

Big hail has arrived in many areas, with the Met Office issuing yellow warnings of snow and ice for parts of northern England, western Scotland and Northern Ireland for today and tomorrow.

She forecast snow in Greater Manchester, Lancashire, Cumbria, Merseyside, Yorkshire and Scotland between 10am and 4pm, followed by freezing conditions in the evening and winter rain until Friday.

Topcliffe in North Yorkshire follows a cold -8°C (17.6°F) overnight record, making it the coldest temperature ever recorded in England this winter.

Snow thunder probability

After the onset of the bitterly cold and icy Thursday morning as temperatures fell below freezing across much of the UK overnight, a combination of rain and hill snow will arrive from the west.

Forecasters said the possibility of snow thunder – expected to hit western Scotland today and tomorrow – is driven by the same conditions that cause thunder in summer, and the difference in temperature between land and the surrounding atmosphere.

Met Office spokesman Graham Madge said: “Because you get that variance, it’s possible, quite easily, for warm air to flow at ground level as it warms up to start rising very quickly through the cool air and that creates the potential for thunderstorms, so it’s a good idea. We’ll likely see with other winter showers, we’ll likely see hail and snow.”

Joanna Robinson, Sky News weather producer, said: “The rain will spread across all regions today, bringing snow to higher elevations in Scotland, northern England and Wales. Strong winds over the hills will lead to a risk of drifting and blizzards as well.

“Winter and stormy rains will follow, with localized thunder likely to occur in the west, particularly in the northwest.

“A thunderstorm that occurs with precipitation is called thunder snow and is very rare.

“Lightning can appear brighter due to the light reflecting off the snowflakes, but snow can dampen the sound of thunder.”

travel disruption

She said the ice would be an additional hazard, and would lead to difficult travel conditions.

“There will be frequent winter rains in the north and west during the night, with snow accumulating on the northern ridges. Possible as high as 10cm on top of the ground, with some slush at lower levels.”

National Highways warned of a “severe weather event” on its website and issued a “severe weather” alert for snow affecting northern England and the West Midlands between 10am on Thursday and 6pm on Friday.

It advised road users intending to travel through the affected areas to check the weather forecast and road conditions before traveling.

“Please be extra careful and allow plenty of extra flight time. As per current guidelines, please consider if your flight is absolutely necessary before setting off,” their website states.

Meteorologists warn that snow could cause some travel disruptions on higher roads during the day.

The Bureau of Meteorology said some short blackouts are possible with the risk of sporadic lightning strikes.

They expect strong winds to trigger blizzards and blizzards in the Hebrides and coastal areas of Scotland.

It could also be followed by frequent winter rains Thursday evening and overnight with a new snow cover, as freezing conditions return.

Friday will see more showers, with hail, sleet, snow and thunder possible, but the rain will ease later

Photo: A snowplow and squeaky chariot drive along the snowy Buttertubs Trail near Hawes in the Yorkshire Dales.

yellow warnings

The Bureau of Meteorology’s first warning, which goes into effect at 10 a.m., reads: “Snow may cause some travel disruptions on higher roads.

“Some roads and railways are likely to be affected by long journey times by road, bus and train services.

“A batch of rain will move eastward across the UK through Thursday and will likely fall like snow for some time, especially over the hills.”

Get your snow scrapers ready on Thursday morning as it will be a lukewarm start ❄️

Rainy and stormy weather that will arrive later with snow over the northern hills pic.twitter.com/8zAjHZGu0Q

Met Office (metoffice) January 5, 2022

It added that many places will see one to two hours of snowfall with a risk of “temporary mud buildups” above 100 to 150 meters as the snow falls resulting in difficult travel conditions.

“Snow is expected for longer on higher ground as 2 to 5 cm is likely to be above 200 to 300 metres, and 10 to 15 centimeters above 400 metres. On higher roads, strong winds will bring temporary blizzards and storms snowy”.

Another yellow warning – running from 8 p.m. today until 11 a.m. on Friday – states: “Freezing rain, hail and frequent snow may cause some disruption to travel during Thursday night and Friday morning.”

Photo: Snow-covered fields and rooftops at Allenheads in the Pennines north of Weardale in Northumberland

A milder weekend

The Met Office expected milder conditions this weekend.

Madge said: “From Friday to Saturday we have another forward system that is moving across the UK. It is likely to transmit rain more widely.

“By Saturday and into the weekend, any winter rain will likely be slightly over the tops and slopes.”

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