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What do the warning colours mean?
Red warning
- Dangerous weather is expected and, if you have not done so already, you should take action now to keep yourself and others safe from the impact of the severe weather.
- It is very likely that there will be a risk to life, with substantial disruption to travel, energy supplies and possibly widespread damage to property and infrastructure.
Amber warning
- There is an increased likelihood of impacts from severe weather, which could potentially disrupt your plans.
- This means there is the possibility of travel delays, road and rail closures, power cuts and the potential risk to life and property.
Yellow warning
- Yellow warnings can be issued for a range of weather situations.
- It is important to read the content of yellow warnings to determine which weather situation is being covered by the warning.
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UK weather warnings
Yellow warning
Snow & ice
00:00
Fri 2
UTC
10:00
Fri 2
Travel disruption possible from icy stretches early on Friday.
What should I expect?
- Some injuries from slips and falls on icy surfaces
- Some roads and railways affected with longer journey times by road, bus and train services
- Icy patches on some untreated roads, pavements and cycle paths
What should I do?
Further detail
Following a spell of rain, sleet and hill snow on Thursday evening, icy stretches are likely to develop on untreated surfaces during the early hours of Friday. There will also be some snow showers early on Friday, mainly in the north and this could lead to patchy accumulations of 1 or 2 cm snow.
What Should I Do?
Keep yourself and your family safe when it is icy. Plan to leave the house at least five minutes earlier than normal. Not needing to rush, reduces your risk of accidents, slips, and falls.
If you need to make a journey on foot, try to use pavements along main roads which are likely to be less slippery. Similarly, if cycling, try and stick to main roads which are more likely to have been treated.
Give yourself the best chance of avoiding delays by checking road conditions if driving, or bus and train timetables, amending your travel plans if necessary.
Be prepared for weather warnings to change: when a weather warning is issued, the Met Office recommends staying up to date with the weather forecast in your area.
Snowy, wintry weather can cause delays and make driving conditions dangerous. Keep yourself and others safe by planning your route, giving yourself extra time for your journey.
Check for road closures or delays to public transport and amend plans if necessary.
If driving, make sure you have some essentials in your car in the event of any delays (e.g., warm clothing, food, water, a blanket, a torch, ice scraper/de icer, a warning triangle, high visibility vest and an in-car phone charger).
Be prepared for weather warnings to change quickly: when a weather warning is issued, the Met Office recommends staying up to date with the weather forecast in your area.
Why is the warning yellow?
This warning has a high likelihood and a low impact.
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Issued
Regions and local authorities affected:
Northern Ireland
Yellow warning
Wind
21:00
Today
UTC
09:00
Tomorrow
Strong winds may cause some disruption between late Wednesday evening and Thursday morning.
What should I expect?
- Some delays to road, air and ferry transport are likely
- Probably some bus services affected, with some journeys taking longer
- Delays for high-sided vehicles on exposed routes and bridges likely
- Some short term loss of power and other services is possible
- It’s likely that some coastal routes, sea fronts and coastal communities will be affected by spray and/or large waves
What should I do?
Further detail
Northwesterly gales or severe gales will develop during Hogmanay evening and then peak through the early hours of New Years day, before slowly beginning to ease a little later on Thursday morning. Peak gusts of around 60 mph are possible fairly widely, and potentially in excess of 70 mph for some exposed headlands and high ground.
What Should I Do?
Give yourself the best chance of avoiding delays by checking road conditions if driving, or bus timetables, amending your travel plans if necessary.
People cope better with power cuts when they have prepared for them in advance. It’s easy to do;
consider gathering torches and batteries, a mobile phone power pack and other essential items.
If you are on the coast, stay safe during stormy weather by being aware of large waves. Even from
the shore large breaking waves can sweep you off your feet and out to sea. Take care if walking
near cliffs; know your route and keep dogs on a lead. In an emergency, call 999 and ask for the
Coastguard.
Be prepared for weather warnings to change quickly: when a weather warning is issued, the Met
Office recommends staying up to date with the weather forecast in your area.
Why is the warning yellow?
This warning has a medium likelihood and a low impact.
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Issued
Regions and local authorities affected:
Grampian
Highlands & Eilean Siar
Orkney & Shetland
Yellow warning
Snow & ice
06:00
Tomorrow
UTC
23:59
Fri 2
Frequent and heavy snow showers may lead to some travel disruption to begin the year.
What should I expect?
- Possible travel delays on roads stranding some vehicles and passengers
- Possible delays or cancellations to rail and air travel
- Some rural communities could become cut off
- Power cuts may occur and other services, such as mobile phone coverage, may be affected
- A chance of injuries from slips and falls on icy surfaces
- Untreated pavements and cycle paths might be impassable
What should I do?
Further detail
Showers will turn increasingly to snow through Thursday as a strong, perhaps locally gale force northerly wind sets in. Initially accumulations will mainly affect higher routes, but by evening some accumulations will start to build even to low levels, with 2 to 5, locally 10 cm of lying snow accumulating by Friday morning. Above 200 m some places could see 10-20 cm of snow accumulate, and on the highest routes and hills, 30 cm or more may build through this period. Given the strength of the wind some significant drifting of snow is likely. Lightning may well be an additional hazard.
What Should I Do?
Snowy, wintry weather can cause delays and make driving conditions dangerous, so to keep yourself and others safe: plan your route, checking for delays and road closures, amending your travel plans if necessary; if driving, leave more time to prepare and check your car before setting off; make sure you have essentials packed in your car in the event of any delays (warm clothing, food, water, a blanket, a torch, ice scraper/de-icer, a warning triangle, high visibility vest and an in-car phone charger).
People cope better when they have prepared in advance for the risk of power cuts or being cut off from services and amenities due to the snow. It’s easy to do; consider gathering torches and batteries, a mobile phone power pack and other essential items.
Be prepared for weather warnings to change quickly: when a weather warning is issued, the Met Office recommends staying up to date with the weather forecast in your area.
Why is the warning yellow?
This warning has a low likelihood and a medium impact.
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Last updated
Reason: The likelihood of medium impacts from snow and ice has been increased
Regions and local authorities affected:
Central, Tayside & Fife
Grampian
Highlands & Eilean Siar
Orkney & Shetland
Strathclyde
Yellow warning
Snow & ice
00:00
Fri 2
UTC
12:00
Fri 2
Some travel disruption is expected due to snow and ice.
What should I expect?
- Some roads and railways likely to be affected with longer journey times by road, bus and train services
- Some injuries from slips and falls on icy surfaces
- Probably some icy patches on some untreated roads, pavements and cycle paths
What should I do?
Further detail
An area of sleet and snow is expected to move southeastwards across parts of England and Wales, lasting approximately 2 or 3 hours in any one place. Where snow falls, 1 or 2 cm is likely for some and perhaps as much as 5 cm snow possible in a few spots, especially higher ground of north Wales and northwest England. Icy patches will also develop quickly as sleet and snow clears.
What Should I Do?
Keep yourself and your family safe when it is icy. Plan to leave the house at least five minutes earlier than normal. Not needing to rush, reduces your risk of accidents, slips, and falls.
If you need to make a journey on foot, try to use pavements along main roads which are likely to be less slippery. Similarly, if cycling, try and stick to main roads which are more likely to have been treated.
Give yourself the best chance of avoiding delays by checking road conditions if driving, or bus and train timetables, amending your travel plans if necessary.
Snowy, wintry weather can cause delays and make driving conditions dangerous. Keep yourself and others safe by planning your route, giving yourself extra time for your journey.
Check for road closures or delays to public transport and amend plans if necessary.
If driving, make sure you have some essentials in your car in the event of any delays (e.g., warm clothing, food, water, a blanket, a torch, ice scraper/de icer, a warning triangle, high visibility vest and an in-car phone charger).
Be prepared for weather warnings to change quickly: when a weather warning is issued, the Met Office recommends staying up to date with the weather forecast in your area.
Why is the warning yellow?
This warning has a medium likelihood and a low impact.
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likely |
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Issued
Regions and local authorities affected:
East Midlands
East of England
London & South East England
North West England
South West England
Wales
West Midlands
Yellow warning
Snow & ice
00:00
Sat 3
UTC
23:59
Sun 4
Frequent and heavy snow showers will bring further accumulations of snow and ice which may cause travel disruption and delays.
What should I expect?
- Possible travel delays on roads stranding some vehicles and passengers
- Possible delays or cancellations to rail and air travel
- Some rural communities could become cut off
- Power cuts may occur and other services, such as mobile phone coverage, may be affected
- A chance of injuries from slips and falls on icy surfaces
- Untreated pavements and cycle paths might be impassable
What should I do?
Further detail
Snow showers are expected to continue through the weekend, being brought well inland by strong northerly winds. Winds should ease somewhat into Sunday, with showers by then most prevalent around coasts. With temperatures inland likely remaining below freezing through the weekend, thaw of lying snow is not expected.
With respect to additional accumulations: through the weekend a further 2 to 5, locally 10-15 cm of lying snow is possible in low lying areas. 15-30 cm could potentially accumulate above 200 m, most likely for the northwest Highlands and Grampians. Given wind strengths Saturday some drifting of snow and temporary blizzard conditions are likely. Lightning will be an additional hazard near showers.
What Should I Do?
Snowy, wintry weather can cause delays and make driving conditions dangerous, so to keep yourself and others safe: plan your route, checking for delays and road closures, amending your travel plans if necessary; if driving, leave more time to prepare and check your car before setting off; make sure you have essentials packed in your car in the event of any delays (warm clothing, food, water, a blanket, a torch, ice scraper/de-icer, a warning triangle, high visibility vest and an in-car phone charger).
People cope better when they have prepared in advance for the risk of power cuts or being cut off from services and amenities due to the snow. It’s easy to do; consider gathering torches and batteries, a mobile phone power pack and other essential items.
Be prepared for weather warnings to change quickly: when a weather warning is issued, the Met Office recommends staying up to date with the weather forecast in your area.
Why is the warning yellow?
This warning has a low likelihood and a medium impact.
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likely |
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Issued
Regions and local authorities affected:
Central, Tayside & Fife
Grampian
Highlands & Eilean Siar
Orkney & Shetland
Strathclyde
Warnings are in force for:
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