As temperatures drop, meteorologists have issued a warning for the North York Moors and the Highlands of Scotland, where a rare weather phenomenon known as “thundersnow” could occur. The mercury is expected to plummet to as low as minus 12 degrees Celsius. Thundersnow is a unique occurrence where thunderstorms develop in wintry conditions, resulting in heavy snowfall instead of rain. This phenomenon typically transpires in seven out of every 100,000 thunderstorms.
In recent news, heavy snowfall blanketed parts of North and East Yorkshire yesterday, leading to the closure of schools and tourist sites. Due to the substantial snow accumulation of 25cm, certain roads in the North York Moors became impassable.
Motorists were cautioned that despite the efforts of North Yorkshire Council’s gritting crews working overnight, road surfaces may still be icy or snow-covered. Residents were advised to evaluate the necessity of their journeys as gritting does not guarantee completely clear roads.
With numerous schools closed in North Yorkshire, Devon, and Cornwall, many families took advantage of the snow for sledding activities. The Met Office has stated that snow and ice warnings are still in effect until the weekend. The UK is currently facing wintry conditions with cold northerly winds bringing snow showers and icy patches across various regions. Chief Forecaster Steve Willington emphasized the continued presence of snow and ice warnings, with additional alerts issued for potential icy conditions overnight and into Friday morning. Temperatures are anticipated to plummet to as low as minus 12 degrees Celsius.
