This weekend will see a marked change in the weather as the dry spell could well be making way for snow and ice.
We have experienced the coldest spell of this winter and the Met office have issued snow and ice warnings for the Isle of Wight over the next few days.
Weather News Update for Sunday 5th February 2012: Issued at – 03 Feb 2012, 12:21 Valid from – 05 Feb 2012, 00:00 Valid to – 05 Feb 2012, 12:00 See Below*
With the cold weather staying with us into the weekend and beyond, its important people keep up to date with local weather forecasts and warnings. The IW Council fleet of gritters have already been out and about treating Island roads and will continue to do so when below-freezing temperatures are forecast.
A Met Office cold weather alert has been issued for the entire country. They are predicting temperatures of minus three in London and Birmingham on Friday morning. Everywhere is expected to be sub zero and the temperature will ‘feel like’ minus six or lower in places.
*Isle of Wight On Yellow Winter Weather Warning From Met Office:
The Met Office today (Thursday) issued an Ice warning. 02 Feb 2012, 15:00 Valid to – 03 Feb 2012, 11:00
Some untreated roads are expected to become icy as temperatures drop on Thursday afternoon and evening.
Possibility of Snow On Saturday: Issued at – 02 Feb 2012, 12:42 Valid from – 03 Feb 2012, 15:00 Valid to – 04 Feb 2012, 11:00
A band of snow moving into eastern England from the North Sea is expected to give accumulations of 2cm or so quite widely, and perhaps 5cm in places. Although timing is uncertain the snow is likely to be most widespread and heaviest late on Friday evening. After midnight it will tend to die out, but untreated roads may remain icy well into Saturday morning. The public are advised that some travel disruption may result.
Update: For Sunday 5th February 2012: A band of snow over eastern parts of England, with accumulations of 5-10cm widely, will slowly clear eastwards, turning generally lighter and to rain as it does so. Behind this, clearing skies may lead to widespread icy patches forming.The public are advised that this is likely to lead to some travel disruption, and should pay close attention to forecasts as the event approaches.
The Met Office also state in general UK weather forecast:
Snow showers are expected along parts of the eastern coastline today and tomorrow, but most places will continue to see bright, dry and cold conditions.
Things are set to change as we go through into Saturday, however, as an Atlantic front moves in from the west.
Paul Gundersen, Deputy Chief Forecaster at the Met Office, said: “As this front moves in from the west it will come up against cold air and we’re likely to see a mixture of rain, sleet and snow across the UK.
“It’s a finely balanced situation, so there is some uncertainty about which areas will see the most significant snowfall, but at the moment the risk is highest in central and eastern areas where we could see up to 5-10cm of snow.
Later on Saturday it is likely that northern and western parts of the UK will see slightly less cold conditions take over, with rain more likely than snow. However, with the rain falling on cold ground there is a widespread ice risk.
Thereafter this east/west split is likely to continue, with the south and east remaining cold with ice and freezing fog likely. The north and west should be milder.
Met Office forecasters based at the Highways Agency’s national traffic operations centre say:
“It’s particularly important you give yourself extra time to prepare for your journey on a cold morning and don’t drive off until you and your car are ready,”
Advice includes:
• Even if it hasn’t rained overnight, a heavy frost can still make roads slippy.
• Watch out for icy conditions under bridges, overhanging trees and exposed roads.
• Allow extra time in the morning to de-ice your car windows – and then clean all of them so you have a good view.
• On a cold, clear morning there is a greater risk of being dazzled by low sun through a frosty windscreen. Include sunglasses in your winter driving kit.
For safer driving tips go to www.iwight.com/council/departments/highways/road_safety/ website link.
Keep up to date with the latest forecast and warnings at www.metoffice.gov.uk For the latest information, stay up to date with online forecasts and weather warnings.
For the latest weather news for the Isle of Wight, Island Pulse advises you to visit Wroxall Weather www.wroxall-weather.co.uk website or here www.facebook.com/wroxallweather Facebook.
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