Snow is set to fall across parts of the UK on New Year’s Eve, with the Met Office issuing a ‘danger to life’ warning in some areas.
People who were hoping for a snowy Christmas will be happy to know that as the New Year approaches, the north of the UK is expected to be covered in a layer of snow.
A weather warning has been issued for a large portion of north-west Scotland, indicating heavy rain and snow that could lead to significant problems such as floods, building damage, and power outages.
The warning is in place from midnight on Monday to 12am on Wednesday, January 1 and covers a large area from the highlands down to Glagsgow.
The Chief Forecaster at the Met Office, Neil Armstrong, mentioned that heavy rain will start affecting north-western parts of Scotland from Sunday. Following a brief break, more rain and strong winds are expected on Monday and Tuesday in Scotland as another low-pressure system moves in.
‘This may be accompanied by some heavy snowfall in the mountains and perhaps to lower elevations.’
Parts of Scotland were hit with snow in November amid Storm Bert, which brought with it yellow, amber and even red weather warnings of wind and rain.
From New Year’s Day, disruptive wind, rain and snow could move further south and affect other parts of the UK.
Those who were looking forward to a white Christmas will be in for a treat as the New Year is rung in next week as a blanket of snow is forecast in parts of the UK
The Met Office shows a band of rain, hail and snow descending on the north of the UK
A yellow weather warning is in place across the northern part of Scotland next week
Temperatures up north are expected to be as low as one degree but warmer in the south
Elsewhere in the UK, weather is expected to remain unsettled with periods of wind of outbreaks of rain, as well as colder temperatures.
A yellow weather warning for wind is in place near Newcastle upon Tyne, affecting areas including Allendale, Alston, Stanhope, Barnard Castle, Kirkby Stephen, Hawes, Leyburn and Pateley Bridge from 11am to 6pm on Monday.
The Met Office has warned of potential strong gusts which could reach between 50 and 60mph on higher ground.
More snow is expected later next week as the winds turn northerly resulting in colder air across the UK. Snow is expected across the north and on coasts exposed to the onshore wind.
It is also predicted that snow could hit the south of the UK in the first week of January as a band of rain hits the colder air.
It comes following flight disruption at the UK’s busiest airports due to heavy fog.
Christmas travel chaos broke out at airports including Manchester and Gatwick yesterday as ‘heavy fog’ descended with more than 100 flights delayed or cancelled.
Fog may cause further flight delays for passengers at London Gatwick airport tomorrow, while weekend flights have also been called at Heathrow.
Large crowds form at Gatwick Airport overnight amid flight delays and cancellations
Traffic delays on the M6 motorway due to fog and large numbers of people traveling post Christmas
Manchester Airport shrouded in fog as many flights were delayed overnight
Tower Bridge can barely be seen behind HMS Belfast amid foggy weather in London
Low-lying fog over Huddersfield in West Yorkshire as the dreary weather continues
Flights were delayed by up to three hours from Gatwick on Friday evening due to the thick fog.
A spokesperson for Nats, the UK’s main air traffic control provider, said on Friday: ‘Due to widespread fog, temporary air traffic restrictions are in place at several airports across the UK today. Restrictions of this sort are only ever applied to maintain safety.
‘We continue to monitor the situation and have a Met Office expert embedded within our operation to ensure we have the latest available information. Our teams are working closely with the airports and airlines to minimise disruption.’
Meanwhile, National Highways, which runs the UK’s motorways and busiest A-roads, said the misty weather is not having a significant impact on its network, but reminded motorists to use dipped headlights, wipers and demisters while driving in foggy conditions.
