The UK is bracing for yet another period of unsettled weather as a map suggests snow, rain and ice may sweep the country on the same day.
New maps generated on January 30 by WXCHARTS, which uses MetDesk data, show a rare weather event may be due in the next fornight.
On February 12, areas in the north of England and Scotland are due to be hit with downpours of freezing rain – a rare type of liquid precipitation that hits a cold surface and freezes almost instantly.
Freezing rain can become dangerous once it hits the surface and turns to ice. It can turn into black ice, which is difficult to see, making roads and pavements treacherous.
The rare phenomenon is due to rain down on coastal areas of Scotland, as well as a large chunk of the country from south of Edinburgh to north of Dumfries, at roughly 3mm/hr.
Similar levels are expected in County Durham and the Lake District, but other parts of England will be spared from the freezing rain.
On the same day, areas of the Scottish Highlands will be hit with ice pellets – translucent frozen precipitation that forms when snowflakes partially melt and refreeze, and typically smaller than hail.
Between 0.3-3cm/hr of ice pellets are expected in very localised areas of the mountainous region.
Snow and rain are also forecast in areas up and down the UK on February 12, potentially bringing travel chaos alongside the ice pellets and freezing rain.
Snow is expected to mainly affect Scotland, but it’ll also extend down North East England, along coastal areas down to Hartlepool. Rates are extected to be between 0.3-3cm/hr.
The Met Office long range forecast for February 4-13 is: “Periods of wet weather are likely to affect northwestern parts of the UK at times, particularly early in this period. Some heavy rain is possible and this is likely to be accompanied by spells of strong winds.
“South of this, across the rest of the UK, it is likely to be more settled and whilst some rain can’t be ruled out at times, there is likely to be plenty of dry weather through this period. Winds will be lighter and this will bring the risk of overnight frost and fog.
“Overall, temperatures will be close to normal for most, but it is likely to be mild at times in the northwest. Brief colder spells are likely here in between weather systems though.”
