Issued at: 22:01 on Tuesday 19 November 2013
Valid from: 03:00 on Wednesday 20 November 2013
Valid to: 10:00 on Wednesday 20 November 2013
Outbreaks of rain affecting most of Scotland and northern England on Tuesday night will turn back to snow on higher ground in northern areas in the early hours of Wednesday morning, bringing 1-3cm above 300m. As the rain and snow clear Scotland and then northern England later in the night, temperatures will drop sharply leading to a risk of widespread ice for the Wednesday morning rush hour.
The public should be aware of the potential for icy surfaces and some minor travel disruption.
Chief Forecasters Assessment
A deep area of low pressure near Iceland on Tuesday will move southeastwards towards the northern North Sea on Wednesday. Its associated fronts will bring a spell of rain to much of Scotland and northern England, preceded by a short spell of snow on Tuesday evening mainly over higher ground of Highland and western Grampian where several cm are likely. Colder air will return later in the night, with rain turning back to snow across northern high ground, with some hail, sleet or snow showers possible at lower levels in Scotland. As skies clear later in the night, road temperatures are expected to fall quickly, leading to a risk of widespread icy stretches. This risk will be increased by salt wash-off following the rain, and the possibility of a quick freeze before all roads are treated. There is some doubt about the speed of the frontal band, and therefore the southern extent of areas affected.
Northumberland County Weather Updates 