The Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning for snow and ice affecting Birmingham from midnight to midday on January 2. In preparation, households, particularly those planning to drive, are advised to equip their vehicles with nine essential items to stay safe during potential delays.
The recommended essentials include warm clothing, food, water, a blanket, a torch, an ice scraper or de-icer, a warning triangle, a high visibility vest, and an in-car phone charger. These items will help motorists remain comfortable and secure if they become stranded or face icy conditions on the road.
An area of sleet and snow is expected to sweep southeastwards across parts of England and Wales, with snowfall lasting two to three hours at any one location. Snow accumulation of 1 to 2 centimeters is likely in some areas, while higher ground in North Wales, Northwest England, and the Northwest Midlands could see up to 5 centimeters.
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The arrival of sleet and snow on frozen surfaces will increase the risk of ice formation, causing hazardous driving conditions as icy patches develop quickly once precipitation clears.
Forecast maps from WXCharts predict that snowfall could build to 27 centimeters by January 5 across England, Northern Ireland, and Wales. Northern England, in particular, is expected to experience 11 centimeters of snow by January 7.
The wintry conditions are anticipated to persist across the UK until January 15, with the peak snowfall reaching as much as 51 centimeters in parts of Scotland around January 12 and 13.
Chief Forecaster Neil Armstrong commented, “Arctic air now covers most of the UK, bringing very cold weather through the weekend, with temperatures falling below minus ten degrees Celsius overnight in some places and daytime highs struggling to reach above freezing. This cold spell may extend well into next week, presenting continued wintry hazards and likely more weather warnings. It is vital that people stay updated with the latest forecasts and warnings to plan accordingly.”