The Met Office has issued a cold weather alert for this weekend, saying that there is a 90% probability of severe cold weather/icy conditions between Friday and midday on Tuesday in parts of England.

This is a Level 2 Weather Alert, which means there is a 60% probability that we will experience freezing conditions over the next few days.

The Met says this weather could increase the health risks to vulnerable patients and disrupt the delivery of services.

The Met's forecast says a slow-moving band of rain will affect London on Sunday, the rain turning heavy at times, potentially leading to accumulations of more than 20 mm quite widely. There is the risk that the rain could turn to sleet or settling snow, especially over hills. The public should be aware of the risk of localised flooding.

The forecast says that England in general is likely to experience colder than average conditions in the coming five-day period, with widespread overnight frosts. Some wintry precipitation can be expected for most areas too, mostly in the form of scattered showers, leading to lying snow and icy stretches in places.

There is currently a good deal of uncertainty about the expected weather over Southeast England on Sunday, with a period of persistent rain potentially turning to sleet or snow over hills.

You can keep up to date with Met Office forecasts on the website.

 

January 16, 2015