Snow: Road users advised to check ahead and plan for disruption

Drivers are being warned to prepare for severe weather conditions, as a significant snowfall is forecasted to hit North Wales and the North West of England areas on Thursday.

The Met Office has issued an amber warning for snow and ice across north Wales effective from 8am to 3pm tomorrow, Thursday, February 7. ‌​‌‌​​​‌‍‌​‌​‌‌‌​‍‌​​​‌​‌‌‍‌​​​‌‌​‌‍‌​​‌‌‌‌​‍‌​​‌‌‌​​‍‌​​‌​‌​​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​​‌‌​‌​‍‌​​‌‌‌​​‍‌‌​​‌‌​‌‍‌‌​​‌‌​​

A yellow alert for snow in Flintshire is also in place from 6am to 6pm on Thursday. ‌​‌‌​​​‌‍‌​‌​‌‌‌​‍‌​​​‌​‌‌‍‌​​​‌‌​‌‍‌​​‌‌‌‌​‍‌​​‌‌‌​​‍‌​​‌​‌​​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​​‌‌​‌​‍‌​​‌‌‌​​‍‌‌​​‌‌​‌‍‌‌​​‌‌​​

⚠️@Metoffice have issued an amber #WeatherWarningfor snow for parts of Wales tomorrow 08:00-15:00.

Conditions are likely to be very difficult. Higher risk of skidding, reduced visibility and roads may become impassable.

Think! Do you need to travel? pic.twitter.com/0GKMsbArFc

— Traffic Wales North & Mid (@TrafficWalesN) February 7, 2024

The snow is expected to develop in the southern parts of the North West on Thursday, with the potential for rapid transitions to rain on lower routes.

However, higher elevations, particularly those above 200 meters, may experience persistent snowfall throughout the day.

Travel implications include possible delays on roads, with the risk of some vehicles and passengers becoming stranded.

Rail and air travel may also face delays or cancellations.

Rural communities, especially those in elevated areas, could be temporarily cut off, raising concerns about access to essential services and supplies.

Furthermore, the forecast warns of potential power cuts and disruptions to mobile phone coverage.

The combination of snow, ice, and potentially strong winds are likely to create hazardous driving conditions, particularly in exposed areas.

National Highways which maintains the motorways in England is strongly advising motorists to heed travel warnings, suggesting that travel could be significantly extended or disrupted.

Road users are encouraged to follow guidance on overhead signs, listen for radio updates, and check the latest weather information on the Met Office website before setting out.

For those planning to travel, alternative arrangements such as delaying the journey are recommended.

Then Met Office warning states: “Snow is expected to develop during Thursday morning and become persistent and at times heavy before slowly easing later in the day. As milder air begins to arrive from the south, there is a chance that snow could turn to freezing rain across some higher routes above 200 metres. Across the warning area, 10-15 cm of snow is expected quite widely but some places, particularly those above 200 metres, may see 20-25 cm of snow. Strong and gusty easterly winds may lead to some drifting in places.”