Issued at:
1142 on Mon 2 Dec 2013
Valid from:
0005 on Thu 5 Dec 2013
Valid to:
1800 on Thu 5 Dec 2013
Wind
Westerly gales are expected to spread southwards across northern and some central parts of the UK on Thursday, with gusts of 60 to 70 mph possible. The winds will veer northerly or northwesterly and ease a little later in the day, with the stronger winds becoming confined to the far northeast of the UK by early Friday.
The public should be aware of possible disruption to travel, particularly through the central belt of Scotland and over higher routes of northern England on Thursday. Large waves, high tides and surge may also cause some coastal flooding along the East Coast of England.
Warm air crossing the Atlantic will encounter very cold arctic air which will cause a low pressure system to develop later on Wednesday. As this system moves eastwards into Scandinavia this is likely to bring very strong westerly winds to northern and central parts of the UK. As the system moves away east the winds will veer northerly and will bring much colder arctic air southwards across northern areas before easing into Friday.
Snow
Issued at:
1129 on Mon 2 Dec 2013
Valid from:
1200 on Thu 5 Dec 2013
Valid to:
1200 on Fri 6 Dec 2013
Snow showers are expected to affect the north of Scotland from Thursday afternoon until Friday, these showers most frequent across the Northern Isles, the North Highlands and northern Aberdeenshire. Accumulations of 2 to 5 cm are possible in places on low ground, with 10 to 20 cm possible on higher ground. In addition strong northerly winds will lead to some drifting with blizzard conditions possible over high ground at times. Icy conditions may also develop on some roads on Thursday night and Friday morning.
The public should be aware of the potential for disruption, particularly to travel.
The deep low pressure passing to the north of the UK on Thursday will usher in a cold, showery airstream of Arctic origin across northern areas, with frequent sleet and snow showers feeding in to north and northeast Scotland for around 24 hrs. Higher pressure will return from the west during Friday and cause the showers to ease before a return to milder conditions again into the weekend.
