Power cuts warning in 109 UK areas as 45 hours of snow forecast from Saturday | Weather

Households across much of the UK have been told to prepare for potential travel disruption and power cuts as weather forecaster the Met Office issued three days of snow warnings from Saturday.

The weather experts have announced a yellow weather warning for snow affecting 109 UK areas in England, Scotland and Wales on Saturday, January 4, from 12 noon.

The warning remains in place until Monday, January 6, at 9am, a full 45 hours later.

This means that some homes may lose power or mobile phone coverage, while others could be cut off, especially in rural areas.

The Met Office said: “Heavy snow may cause some disruption over the weekend.

“There is a small chance that power cuts will occur and other services, such as mobile phone coverage, may be affected. There is a slight chance that some rural communities could become cut off.

“There is a chance of travel delays on roads with some stranded vehicles and passengers, along with delayed or cancelled rail and air travel.”

The full forecast issued by the weather experts expounded: “Outbreaks of rain spreading northeastwards later on Saturday and overnight into Sunday will likely be preceded by a spell of snow on its northern flank.

« Whilst there is a fair bit of uncertainty as to how far north this may spread, and how long any snow will last, significant accumulations of snow are possible, especially (but not exclusively) on hills. Currently, parts of the Midlands, Wales and northern England are most at risk of disruption, where 5cm or more could accumulate fairly widely, with perhaps as much as 20-30 cm over high ground of Wales and/or the Pennines. This, accompanied by strengthening winds, may lead to drifting of lying snow.

“In addition, as milder air attempts to move northwards into southern and central areas, snow may turn to a spell of freezing rain for a time, adding to the risk of ice. If milder air is able to spread more bodily northwards, any snow in southern parts of the warning area may be relatively short-lived before turning to rain.”

It added that households in the affected areas should begin to prepare for possible power cuts and travel disruptions.

It continued: “Snowy, wintry weather can cause delays and make driving conditions dangerous, so to keep yourself and others safe: plan your route, checking for delays and road closures, amending your travel plans if necessary; if driving, leave more time to prepare and check your car before setting off; make sure you have essentials packed in your car in the event of any delays (warm clothing, food, water, a blanket, a torch, ice scraper/de-icer, a warning triangle, high visibility vest and an in-car phone charger).

“People cope better with power cuts when they have prepared for them in advance. It’s easy to do; consider gathering torches and batteries, a mobile phone power pack and other essential items.”

The Met Office stressed that the weather picture could ‘change quickly’ and that those in the warning zone should continue to check the outlook as the weekend draws closer.