UK Braces for Snow, Ice, and Rare Freezing Rain This Weekend

2025-03-02

The UK is bracing for a mix of snow, ice, and rare freezing rain this weekend, with the Met Office issuing warnings for parts of northern England and Scotland. A yellow weather warning for snow and ice was initially in place for the North East and parts of Yorkshire on Saturday, though it was later cancelled. Up to 5cm of snow is expected in higher areas, particularly over the Cheviots and North York Moors, with localised accumulations possible at lower levels. Freezing rain, which creates hazardous black ice, is also forecast for higher parts of the Pennines.

The cold spell follows weeks of “anticyclonic gloom,” characterised by dull skies and bitter temperatures, with some areas experiencing as little as 35% of the usual February sunshine. However, a shift to milder weather is expected mid-week, with temperatures rising to between 11°C and 14°C across the UK by Thursday. This marks a significant change from recent weeks, which saw temperatures plummet to -7°C in some areas.

The Met Office has warned of difficult driving conditions, particularly in central Scotland, where snow and freezing rain could affect higher routes. Travel disruption is likely, and drivers are advised to exercise caution, especially on untreated roads. Despite the milder outlook, the weather is expected to remain unsettled, with bands of rain and strong winds forecast for much of the country.

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While parts of the UK can expect more snow, the weather is expected to get milder mid-week

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Warning of sleet, snow and rare freezing rain in parts of England this weekend

The Met Office has also said that there may be heavy rain over parts of southern Wales and southwest England.

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www.metoffice.gov.uk