The Met Office issued an amber weather warning for heavy snow across parts of Scotland for Sunday 11 January, valid from 03:00 to 14:001. A low pressure system to the northwest of the UK will drive milder air and strong winds across the UK on Sunday, with snow accumulating in the north before turning to rain later in the day1. For Northern Ireland, Wales and the southern half of England this will largely fall as rain1.
Within the amber warning area in eastern Scotland, snow accumulations of 5-15cm are likely at relatively low levels, with potentially up to 20-30cm over higher elevations within the Highlands and Aberdeenshire1. A much wider yellow warning for snow and ice covers the majority of Scotland as well as much of northern England, where there is still a chance of 2-5cm at low levels and temporarily 10-20cm over higher ground before snow turns to rain later in the day1.
As milder air progresses eastwards, rain becomes more of a hazard, with yellow rain warnings issued for western and northern Scotland, southwest Scotland and Northern Ireland1. 80-100mm of rain could accumulate in the western Scotland warning area through Sunday and into Monday, which along with snow melt could cause some flooding impacts, and in Northern Ireland accumulations could reach 40-60mm over higher ground1. As snow transitions to rain there is a risk of some freezing rain for a time, especially across parts of east Scotland and northeast England, and where this occurs it could lead to ice forming very quickly on all surfaces1.
A yellow warning for wind has been issued, warning for gusts of 45-60mph widely with 70mph gusts possible in the Western Isles and Northern Isles1. Strong winds will continue into Monday morning in Northern Ireland and western Scotland, where gusts of 60-70mph could bring further disruption to the start of the week, under a yellow warning for wind for Sunday night and through Monday morning1.
| Hazard | Area | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Snow (amber) | Parts of eastern Scotland, Sunday 03:00 to 14:00 | 5-15cm at low levels; up to 20-30cm over higher ground in the Highlands and Aberdeenshire1 |
| Snow and ice (yellow) | Majority of Scotland and much of northern England | 2-5cm at low levels; 10-20cm over higher ground before turning to rain1 |
| Rain (yellow) | Western and northern Scotland, southwest Scotland, Northern Ireland | 80-100mm in western Scotland into Monday; 40-60mm over higher ground in Northern Ireland1 |
| Wind (yellow) | Scotland and coasts of Northern Ireland; Northern Ireland and western Scotland Sunday night into Monday morning | 45-60mph widely, 70mph in the Western Isles and Northern Isles; 60-70mph into Monday1 |
Met Office Chief Forecaster Rebekah Hicks said:
"Sunday will see a disruptive spell of weather as the UK transitions into a milder air mass, marking an end to the cold spell we've had since the start of the year."
The Scottish Government's Resilience Room (SGORR) met again on Saturday as agencies continue to deal with the impact of sustained cold and wintry weather across much of northern Scotland and other parts of the country1. Before this spell of disruptive weather, conditions have improved after Storm Goretti, with a brighter and more settled day for many on Saturday1.
Why it matters for households
The Met Office says there is a chance of some power outages with strong winds, snow and ice accretion, and that people cope better with power cuts when they have prepared for them in advance1. It lists the essentials that could help households cope with a power cut as candles and matches or lighters, torches and batteries, and a mobile phone power pack1. Its guidance for a power cut includes switching off all electrical appliances that should not be left unattended, leaving a light on so you know when the power cut has been fixed, checking whether neighbours are safe and whether they have a power cut too, and wrapping up warm and closing internal doors to keep the heat in; it also notes portable heaters as an alternative if heating systems are down, and says to call 105 for information, a free service for people in England, Scotland and Wales1.
Pascal Lardet, SEPA Flood Duty Manager, said rain and thaw of lying snow from Sunday onwards will increase the risk of flooding, with possible impacts including flooding of low lying land, roads and individual properties1. The Met Office directs people to check whether their property is at risk of flooding through SEPA, the Environment Agency, Natural Resources Wales and NI Direct, and SEPA encourages people to sign up to the Floodline service for free updates for where they live or are travelling through1. Scottish Cabinet Secretary for Justice and Home Affairs Angela Constance encouraged people to follow the advice for their local area provided by key agencies, including the Met Office, SEPA and Police Scotland, and to plan ahead for the coming days1. The Met Office's Chief Forecaster said that with numerous severe weather warnings in place, it is important to stay up to date with the forecast as well as information from local responders and authorities1. Households planning travel can read our guide on whether to delay a journey in bad weather, and drivers can read how to drive safely in strong winds; more background is in the storms and snow hub.
What happens next
After the strong winds ease, temperatures will return closer to average for most through next week, with a south-westerly regime dominant, which also brings the likelihood of further unsettled weather at times with a risk of further heavy rain in places1.
Sources (1)
- Amber warning for further snow in Scotland - Met Office, metoffice.gov.uk
Delaying Journeys in Bad Weather
