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Daily Mirror

National

Patrick Daly

More snow on way for 56 UK areas as Met Office issues rare amber warning

Met Office Scotland England

The Met Office has warned that more regions across the UK could be in store for freezing and dangerous weather conditions, with fresh snow expected in parts of England and Scotland.

Those in the Midlands and north of England could wake up to a snow-coated morning on Sunday (December 18) as the big chill continues to grip the country.

Around 1-3 cm of snow could fall in the 56 areas affected by the Met Office ’s yellow weather warning, with as much as 15cm coming down on the Central Belt of Scotland.

Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire in the south are expected to be hit first, with the blanket of snow making its way north, as far up as the Scottish Highlands.

The snowfall could make conditions on the roads difficult, the Met Office said (Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)

In areas of higher ground, severe gales could whip-up “blizzard conditions”, the Met Office said, followed by freezing rain and the risk of ice forming on power lines north of the Pennines.

Sunday’s warning is in place for 14 hours, between 7am and 9pm.

It follows the Met Office issuing its rare amber weather warning for Friday across much of southern and central Scotland, with engineers still desperately attempting to restore power to thousands on Shetland.

As much as 15cm of snowfall could land in parts of the UK on Sunday, the Met Office said (Getty Images)

The cold weather has shut down parts of the island since Monday.

The snow notice for Sunday was an update from the Met’s earlier announcement, with the forecaster predicting the weekend’s snowfall will start further east than first thought, reducing the number of areas affected from 79 to 56.

Wales, while no longer covered in the snow warning, has instead been told to prepare for slippery icy conditions, like much of the south of England.

The UK is likely to wake-up to icy conditions on Sunday (Getty Images/iStockphoto)

With wet conditions of rain, sleet and snow likely across the whole country, the forecaster said it could “lead to a risk of icy conditions through the morning and early afternoon”.

Sleet and snow are expected to last no more than an hour or two before turning to rain, said the Met.

The wet weather could make it slippery underfoot, increasing the likelihood of injury and creating perilous road conditions.

Those living on higher grounds should be wary of strong winds.

Meteorologists said those living in the area covered by the snow warning could face travel disruption on the roads, rail and at airports.

Supplies could struggle to read rural communities and power cuts “may occur”, the agency said.

The Met Office said: “A band of snow is expected to move north-east across the UK on Sunday, in most places lasting two to four hours before turning to rain.

Snow and ice could make for dangerous travel conditions on Sunday, according to forecasters (Andy Commins / Daily Mirror)

“Places in the south of the warning area will be affected first.”

It added: “In addition to the snow and ice, strong winds are expected across all parts, with gales or severe gales mainly across high ground.

"This will lead to blizzard conditions in some areas for a time.

“A brief period of freezing rain is also possible, most likely to impact the Pennines northwards, with a consequent risk of ice accretion on structures and power lines.”

Here is a list of the areas impacted by the snow warning: