Yellow Weather Warning Issued for Parts of the UK

The weather service has issued a yellow warning as areas in Yorkshire and the Humber, northwest, and northeast England are expected to face outbreaks of rain, sleet, and snow. These conditions are predicted to develop early on Saturday morning, before slowly easing later in the afternoon from the west. In regions to the east of the Pennines, especially above 150 metres, there is an increased likelihood of snow accumulation of 2 to 5cm, notably over the North York Moors and Northumberland areas. Additionally, there is a concern for icy conditions over the Pennines, particularly above 200 metres where freezing rain might occur.

Freezing rain, which behaves similarly to ice storms known in North America, is relatively uncommon in the UK due to the very specific atmospheric conditions required. Typically, rain falls in a supercooled state after passing through different temperature layers; it may begin as sleet or hail before melting in a warmer layer and subsequently refreezing as it encounters a colder layer nearer the ground.

The Met Office cautioned that such wintry weather could disrupt traffic and create dangerous driving conditions, advising motorists to plan their journeys in advance and check for any road closures. Pedestrians are also encouraged to use main road pavements where possible to reduce the risk of slipping. As high pressure continues to bring in cloud and cold air from the north and east, similar icy conditions may be experienced in other parts of Britain over the coming days, posing further hazards like falling trees, power line damage, and significant challenges for aviation due to ice formation on aircraft.