The Met Office has placed London and a vast swathe of southern and central Britain on alert, issuing a significant yellow weather warning for ice and snow. The alert signals potential travel chaos and hazardous conditions for residents and commuters.
Warning Details and Affected Areas
The official warning is scheduled to be active from midnight on Thursday, January 1 until midday on Friday, January 2. It blankets the entire capital, extending across the Home Counties, through the Midlands, and into Wales.
Forecasters predict a band of sleet and snow will push southeastwards from Wales. While any single location should only experience the wintry precipitation for two to three hours, the impact could be sharp. During this window, accumulations of two to three centimetres of snow are possible in London. Higher terrain, such as parts of North Wales, could see around five centimetres.
Expected Travel Disruption and Public Advice
The Met Office has been explicit about the likely consequences, stating that journeys by road, rail, and cycle are expected to be more difficult, with longer travel times a near certainty. Icy patches, particularly on untreated surfaces, pose a significant slip hazard for pedestrians.
Key advice from forecasters includes:
- Allowing at least an extra five minutes for any journey to avoid rushing.
- Walking with extreme care on pavements and pathways.
- If driving, planning a route in advance and carrying a winter essentials kit.
For motorists, the recommended kit includes warm clothes, food, water, a blanket, a torch, an ice scraper, a warning triangle, a high-visibility vest, and an in-car phone charger.
Broader National Picture and Forecast Uncertainty
Separate warnings for snow and ice are also in force for the far north of Scotland on December 31, New Year's Day, January 3, and January 4. For London, the core of the wintry threat is expected to have passed after Friday, although conditions will remain cold.
The Met Office stresses that weather forecasts are subject to change and advises the public to stay updated with the latest announcements. While the warning provides a clear guide, the precise timing and intensity of the snow in the capital may shift as the weather system develops.
