Extreme UK Weather, Storm Emma to bring heavy snow, travel disruption to persist

Thursday, March 1, 2018

As Storm Emma moves into the south of the country heavy snow blizzards, biting winds and significant travel disruption are predicted in the UK.

With up to 40cm of snow expected in some places, the “Beast from the East” front continues to freeze Scotland and the north.

Until 10:00 GMT  a red warning for snow has been issued in Scotland while an amber warning for Scotland and northern England will last until 18:00.

So far Rail users have been warned not to travel to or from Scotland and dozens of stations in Kent are closed, Glasgow airport will stay closed until 11am, the M80 and M876 motorways are closed and major routes in Lincolnshire are not accessible.

From midday until 08:00 on Friday a further amber warning for snow and ice will be in place for London and the south east, south-west England, Wales and the West Midlands.

As per the Met Office the Blizzard conditions and the cold easterly flow was likely to last into next week and possibly into the following week.

Andy Page, of the Met Office stated that by Thursday morning, parts of England and Wales may see widespread snow associated with Storm Emma. On Thursday night parts of south west England and Wales could also see freezing rain which is a relatively rare weather phenomena in the UK.

By Thursday evening across the south west of England, Wales and parts of the Midlands ‘blizzard conditions’ has been predicted by BBC Weather Ben Rich. He said that “biting easterly wind” will make it feel like -11C (12F) in Birmingham and Cardiff – on what is the first day of meteorological spring.

Some areas of Scotland could see up to 30cm (11.8 inches) of snow fall and possibly up to 40cm (15.7 inches) in “a few places” by mid-morning as per the Met Office.

In parts of Scotland and northern England Up to 10cm (7.8 inches) is forecast, with up to 40cm over the hills.

Over parts of Dartmoor and Exmoor there is a potential for up to 50 cm (19.6 inches) the Met Office mentioned, with up to 20cm (7.8 inches) falling in southern England, Wales and the West Midlands.

In Kent 50 stations will be closed  and rail passengers have been warned to avoid travelling to or from Scotland on Thursday.

This condition will affect all train operators, while several are planning to run amended time tables and passengers were being urged to check before travel.

It was reported that in Glasgow Airport there will be no incoming or outbound flights.

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