The Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning for snow and ice across large parts of England, including the Midlands, with forecasters cautioning that up to 10cm could settle on higher ground. The alert is set to remain in place for 17 hours, beginning at 7pm on Thursday, February 12, and ending at 12pm on Friday, February 13.
The warning highlights the likelihood of wintry showers bringing disruption to travel networks and creating hazardous surfaces. According to the Met Office, outbreaks of rain, sleet and snow are expected, with icy stretches developing as temperatures fall overnight.
Snow Accumulation Expected above 200 to 300 Metres
The forecaster said that outbreaks of rain will initially fall as snow over higher hills before the snow line lowers through Thursday evening. Any settling snow is expected to be largely confined to high ground, particularly above 200 metres, where accumulations of between 2 and 5cm are possible.
At elevations above 300 metres, a few locations may record as much as 10cm of snowfall. Parts of the Staffordshire Moorlands fall within the warning zone and reach 463 metres above ground level, placing them among the areas most likely to see the highest totals.
According to the Met Office, the rain and snow band is forecast to clear southwards during the early hours of Friday. As skies clear, temperatures are expected to fall quickly, increasing the risk of ice forming on untreated surfaces. While lower-lying areas may see less settling snow, the shift from rain to snow during the evening could still create difficult conditions, particularly where surfaces remain wet before temperatures drop.
Risk of Icy Surfaces and Transport Disruption
Beyond snowfall totals, the warning emphasises the risk posed by ice. The Met Office has cautioned that untreated roads, pavements and cycle paths could become slippery, raising the possibility of injuries from slips and falls.
According to the forecaster, icy patches may develop widely as precipitation clears and colder air moves in. This combination of residual moisture and falling temperatures is expected to create hazardous conditions, especially during the overnight period and into Friday morning.
Travel disruption is also considered possible. The Met Office has indicated that road networks could be affected, alongside rail and bus services. The mix of rain, sleet and snow, followed by freezing conditions, may lead to delays or difficult driving conditions in some areas.
The yellow warning, which spans much of England including the Midlands, serves as a general alert rather than a guarantee of widespread severe impacts. Still, it signals that weather conditions may pose localised challenges, particularly in upland areas and on untreated routes.
