Bristol, North Somerset and the south of England has been gripped by a two-day warning for snow and ice - and forecasters predicted when the next load of the white stuff is set to fall.
Warnings have been in place for the North West of England, Northern Ireland and Scotland yesterday (Tuesday, December 29) after many people across the UK woke to wintry scenes on Monday morning.
While areas across the West Country have already seen snow, especially on higher ground, it was the 20-hour warning period from 10am today when disruption was expected.
The Met Office warning for snow and ice was originally in place for the south of England from 10am until 6am Thursday (December 31) and stated: “There is a small chance of travel delays on roads with some stranded vehicles and passengers, along with delayed or cancelled rain and air travel.”
But WXCharts, an organisation which provides international weather data, predicted when we could see a large dump of snow over Bristol and parts of North Somerset.
The weather system, shown in purple in the illustrations below, predicted a band of snow will move in an easterly direction away from Devon at around 12pm today.
This was predicted to intensify into the afternoon when it was forecasted to move over North Somerset and Bristol, some eastern areas of the county including Bath before moving towards Wiltshire and Hampshire.
But the wintry scenes people across the region thought they would see are now unlikely given weather warnings have been scaled back significantly.
According to these pictures, heavy snow could fall over Bristol and North Somerset from 3pm tomorrow.
What the Met Office said to expect
- There is a slight chance that bus and train services may be delayed or cancelled, with some road closures and longer journey times
- There is a small chance of travel delays on roads with some stranded vehicles and passengers, along with delayed or cancelled rail and air travel
- A slight chance that power cuts may occur, with the potential to affect other services, such as mobile phone coverage
- A small chance of injuries from slips and falls on icy surfaces
Five-day Met Office forecast for the South West (as of Tuesday, December 29)
Today
A chilly start throughout, but a sunny start for eastern areas, before some afternoon showers. However, the west will remain showery through the day. These showers are likely to be more persistent over Cornwall. Windy in the west. Maximum temperature 6 °C.
Tonight
Showers continue this evening across the west of the region into the night, with some intermittent dry spells in parts. Remaining dry but cloudy in the east. Feeling cold. Minimum temperature 0 °C.
Wednesday
After a wet start in the west, showers will sweep across the region through the afternoon, some heavy and potentially wintry, with hill snow possible. Maximum temperature 8 °C
Outlook for Thursday to Saturday
Wintry showers at times on Thursday, mainly in the west, and throughout on New Years' Day. Overnight frosts and icy conditions throughout this period. Showers for some on Saturday.
