UK snow forecast: Chart shows country hit by wintry conditions
Swathes of the UK have woken up to snow this morning (Sunday, February 7), with Storm Darcy forecast to bring further heavy snow throughout the course of the day. In some areas of the country, the Met Office are forecasting approximately 12 inches of snow could fall in some areas.
Can snow settle on wet ground?
In some cases snow can settle on wet ground.
Whether or not snow settles depends on a number of factors, such as the temperature of the ground it is falling on.
If snow falls onto a surface which isn’t as cold as it, such as water, the heat can melt the snow and cause it not to settle.
Will the snow settle today?
The Met Office has issued swathes of weather warnings today in light of Storm Darcy, and the Met Office warns the snow could settle in significant accumulations.
A rare amber snow warning has been issued for parts of eastern and South East England, with the Met Office warning as much as some 12 inches (30cm) of snow could collect in some areas.
Several other snow warnings have been issued across the UK today and over the coming days.
What’s the difference between wet and dry snow?
The Met Office explain snow can fall as ‘wet’ snow or ‘dry’ snow, which determines whether snowflakes stick together.
The Met Office said: “The size and composition of a snowflake depend on how many ice crystals group together and this will be determined by air temperatures.
“Snowflakes that fall through dry, cool air will be small, powdery snowflakes that don’t stick together.
“This ‘dry’ snow is ideal for snow sports but is more likely to drift in windy weather.
“When the temperature is slightly warmer than 0C, the snowflakes will melt around the edges and stick together to become big, heavy flakes.
“This creates ‘wet’ snow which sticks together easily and is good for making snowmen.”
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