http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/public/weat ... 1386201600" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
1. Amber warning of Wind
Issued at:
1123 on Wed 4 Dec 2013
Valid from:
0200 on Thu 5 Dec 2013
Valid to:
1600 on Thu 5 Dec 2013
Westerly gales are expected to spread southwards across northern and central areas of the UK on Thursday, with widespread gusts of 60 to 70 mph. However within the area of the amber warning gusts are expected to reach 80 mph in places and perhaps as high as 90 mph in exposed parts of the north and west of Scotland.
Winds will veer northwesterly and begin to ease during the afternoon, with the strongest winds becoming confined to eastern coastal areas by the evening.
There is also the potential for significant coastal flooding along the East Coast of England, parts of southeast Scotland, north Wales and northwest England. This may include flooding affecting parts of coastal communities and travel disruption along coastal routes.
The public should be prepared for the potential for significant disruption.
This warning will be kept under close review and updated as necessary.
Warm air crossing the Atlantic will encounter very cold arctic air which will cause a low pressure system to develop later on Wednesday. This low pressure will then deepen rapidly on Wednesday night and Thursday morning, tracking quickly eastwards to the north of Scotland as it does so. As this system moves eastwards into Scandinavia it will to bring very strong westerly winds to northern and central parts of the UK during Thursday. The winds will then veer northwesterly and will bring much colder arctic air southwards across northern areas before easing into Friday. A combination of large waves, surge and high tides may also give rise to some coastal flooding, especially along the East Coast of England, southeast Scotland, north Wales and northwest England.
Yellow warning of Snow
Dates
Issued at:
1405 on Wed 4 Dec 2013
Valid from:
0600 on Thu 5 Dec 2013
Valid to:
1200 on Fri 6 Dec 2013
Snow showers will affect the north of Scotland on Thursday and during Thursday night, initially across Shetland but then quickly extending south to the mainland through the morning. These showers will be 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 at times over high ground.
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. This updates the alert originally issued on Monday.
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 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.
