Key Takeaways
- The Independent is a trusted news outlet that provides quality journalism to Americans across the entire political spectrum, without paywalls.
- Fresh weather warnings have been issued by the Met Office across the UK for ice and rain, following last week’s snowfall during Storm Goretti.
- Icy conditions are expected to cause travel disruptions in parts of Scotland, while heavy rain and potential flooding are expected in South West England on Thursday.
- The Met Office has issued yellow weather warnings for ice and rain, and the Environment Agency has issued flood warnings and alerts in areas where flooding is possible.
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Weather Warnings in the UK
The Met Office has issued fresh weather warnings across the UK, with icy conditions expected to cause travel disruptions in parts of Scotland. The warnings, which are in effect from 8pm on Tuesday night to 10am on Wednesday morning, cover a wide range of regions, including Central, Tayside and Fife, Grampian, Highlands and Eilean Siar, southwest Scotland, Lothian Borders, and Strathclyde. Forecasters predict that clear spells will lead to ice developing on untreated surfaces, particularly in areas where there has been a lot of melted snow by day. As a result, roads, pavements, and cycle paths are expected to be slippery, and pedestrians are advised to leave their homes earlier than normal to avoid accidents.
Rain and Flooding in South West England
In addition to the icy conditions in Scotland, the Met Office has also issued a yellow weather warning for rain in South West England. The warning, which is in effect on Thursday, predicts heavy and persistent rain, with accumulations of 20-40mm expected in some areas. In some isolated spots, the rain could be even heavier, with accumulations of 40-70mm possible. Given the saturated ground, this could lead to surface water flooding, particularly in areas where the ground is already waterlogged. The Environment Agency has issued flood warnings and alerts in areas where flooding is possible, and residents are advised to be prepared for potential disruptions.
Aftermath of Storm Goretti
The weather warnings come after Storm Goretti brought heavy snow and strong winds to the UK last week. The storm, which swept across the Channel to the UK on Thursday evening and into Friday, brought gusts of almost 100mph and a rare red warning for "dangerous, stormy" winds in the southwest of England. The storm also brought significant snowfall, with some areas receiving up to 30cm of snow. The snowfall was particularly heavy in parts of Wales, where some areas were buried under a thick layer of snow. The storm has now passed, but the aftermath is still being felt, with many areas still recovering from the disruption caused by the snow and wind.
Five-Day Weather Forecast
The Met Office has released a five-day weather forecast, which predicts a mix of rain, sunshine, and cold temperatures. On Tuesday, there will be outbreaks of rain, which are expected to be heavy at times. Later, the rain will clear in the north to give sunny spells in the afternoon, with scattered showers turning wintry over the hills in Scotland. Overnight, there will be scattered showers in northern Scotland, with rain lingering across southern England. On Wednesday, it will be cloudy in the south, with outbreaks of rain and drizzle, while elsewhere it will be dry to start, before a band of rain moves into the west later in the afternoon. The outlook for Thursday to Saturday is for further rain, with temperatures around the average for January in the south, but colder in the north. A spell of heavy rain and strong winds is possible on Thursday night.