Snow and icy patches forecast as heavy rain sweeps across UK
Showers are expected to last until Sunday morning, bringing a risk of icy patches on some roads.
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.“Icy stretches” and snow could hit parts of the UK as heavy downpours sweep across the country from the west over the weekend, forecasters have said.
Western Scotland Northern Ireland north-west England and North Wales could face frosty conditions, caused by showers expected to last until Sunday morning, according to the Met Office.
Forecasters also warned of wet and windy conditions across other parts of the country on Saturday with parts of the country set for “very unsettled weather”.
Flood alerts have been issued across England and Wales as rising water levels leave rivers at risk of overflowing.
The Environment Agency has put 11 alerts in place in England, for areas such as Bristol and Somerset, as well as six in Wales, including for the upper Severn in Powys.
On Saturday night, temperatures could plummet as low as minus 4C in higher areas of Scotland but averages of 2C are expected for most of the rest of the UK.
Met Office meteorologist Jonathan Vautrey said: “There are no official ice warnings out at the moment that we have issued but we are sending out a message in general that there is an isolated risk that any wet surfaces along with these showers could lead to icy stretches.
“This is mainly due to the showers that will be feeding in to the west.”
A pulse of heavier rain across the Greater Manchester area and parts of Cornwall will continue on Saturday afternoon and clear before nightfall, he said.
Higher areas in Scotland, the Pennines and Snowdonia are also likely to see some snow before the weekend is over.
Mr Vautrey said any ice would be likely to have melted away by Sunday morning, when the showers are expected to ease.
“Most of the ice risk will have abated before people are getting out and about,” he said.
However, commuters are set to endure a “cloudy, drizzly” start to the week, with another band of rain forecast across most of the UK on Monday, he said.
High pressure coming from the south on Wednesday is set to bring more settled weather in general from midweek onwards, with dry conditions expected for most of the country.
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.