30 January 2024 , 22:09
1163
0
Parts of the UK could be hit by 8cm of snow in a streak of weather which could bring a rare phenomenon.
Brits are braced for another freezing snap in the coming days, with snow projected to fall in parts of the country from Thursday. Weather mapping site Ventusky has projected snow for the North East later this week, with up to three inches forecast for around Newcastle, Teesside and parts of North Yorkshire.
But that's not all, as the Met Office warns rare 'freezing rain' could be on the way for some. This is where liquid rain turns straight to ice, with the potential to leave things such as plants, cars and outdoor furniture encased in a thin layer of ice. It's also incredibly dangerous for aircraft and can result in air travel disruption.
Ventusky maps show there could be more than 7mm of freezing rain for some Brits on Thursday across North Yorkshire and Cumbria. The phenomenon was seen earlier this month in the North East, and can pose a serious hazard for road users and pedestrians.
The Met Office said: "It can produce striking effects, as the rain drop spreads out momentarily across the surface before it freezes, encasing the surface in a layer of clear ice. However, it is not just these eye-catching scenes which the freezing rain can bring; the weight of the ice can sometimes be heavy enough to bring down trees and power lines, and the glaze of ice on the ground effectively turns roads and pathways into an ice rink. The freezing rain can also prove extremely hazardous for aircraft."
Gales, snow and rain to batter country today with 80mph wind gusts
Weather maps show exactly when - and where - 3 inches of snow will hit the UK (WXCharts)The latest update comes as the Met Office has already issued a yellow warning for wind across a huge chunk of the country on Wednesday. Weather experts said strong gusts would likely cause disruption on the roads and potentially cause power cuts and travel delays.
A warning has been issued for across the North, Scotland and parts of Northern Ireland from 9am until 5pm. And bring your umbrellas out, too, as the wintry forecast also includes rain. The heaviest rain is set to fall on Wednesday across Scotland and northern England.