More snow may be on the way in the coming days but not on the scale seen at the weekend, forecasters say. More wintry showers are expected overnight and tomorrow (Tuesday, January 7) and a new warning for snow and ice has been issued for much of Wales.
Snow is possible in parts of North Wales every day this week and some weather models are forecasting further falls in North Wales in mid January. Before then, the Met Office is currently predicting more settled weather next week as high pressure builds near the UK.
On Friday, an Atlantic low is forecast to sweep across Wales, potentially bringing snow on its leading edge. If this does materialise, most of this will fall on the mountains, especially in the Cambrians, accompanied by strong winds.
Weekend spells of snow and rain have caused chaos on some roads in the past 24 hours. As snow melts, the threat is set to persist and two flood warnings have been issued for South Wales on the River Usk and River Towy. A further 34 less severe flood alerts are also in place across the country, including four in North Wales and two in north Powys (see details below).
The latest Met Office weather warning, for snow and ice, runs from 5pm tonight (Monday) until 10am on Tuesday. Icy stretches are expected to develop following rain and snowmelt. Snow showers are likely on the Welsh mountains, with falls of more than 5cm in places.
Temporary accumulations of up to 2cm are possible at low levels too, with wintry spells set to persist into the evening. Current forecasts suggest the focus will be in Denbighshire, Flintshire and Wrexham. But some falls are expected in Gwynedd and Conwy too, especially in southern areas. Anglesey might see the occasional sleet but western coastal areas are likely to see rain rather than wintry showers. Join the North Wales Live Whatsapp community now
Wednesday is set to be the quietest day of the week with fewer snow showers, mostly in the early hours. On the same day, a yellow warning of snow has been issued for southern England, with accumulations of 2cm-5cm, but current forecasts suggest this band of snow will not reach Wales. Wednesday night is set to be the coldest of the week, with temperatures down to -2C fairly widely and -4C in parts of North Wales.
More snow showers on Thursday afternoon
(Image: Met Office)
Friday’s snow is forecasted further south with isolated showers further north
(Image: Met Office)
Thursday is set for a repeat of earlier patterns, with wintry showers blowing in from the north west. Friday could see a change, with low pressure moving in from the south west and leading to snow in Mid Wales and possibly further north. Rain is forecast for most parts of North Wales, however, with Saturday due for more of the same.
For its medium-range UK forecast, from Friday, January 10 until Sunday, January 19, the Met Office said: “A cold, frosty and mostly fine start to Friday, perhaps with a few freezing fog patches. However, a band of cloud and rain will edge into the west later, this possibly preceded by some sleet or snow, and likely accompanied by some strong winds. This will tend to decay in situ though.
“Through the weekend and beyond, high pressure is likely to develop close to the UK, with generally settled conditions prevailing through mid-month. That said, there are likely to be some incursions of milder, windier, more unsettled conditions from the Atlantic at times, especially towards the north and west of the UK. These may be preceded by a spell of snow over higher ground and followed by some wintry showers.”
Predicted total snow accumulation in the week leading up to Friday, January 10
(Image: WX Charts/Met Desk)
Some weather models indicate these wintry showers may focus on North Wales and, in particular, northern England. Accumulations of up to 18cm are predicted for the Eryri mountains. However snow is difficult to predict accurately this far ahead.
The end of January might be a little more settled, with some frost and perhaps fog where clear skies prevail, said the Met Office. Atlantic lows might start to head towards the UK as the month turns into February.
Weather chart showing potential snow in England and Wales on Saturday, January 18. Not all weather models agree on the chances of snow that weekend
(Image: WX Charts/Met Desk)
Potential snow accumulations in England and Wales in the days leading up to Sunday, January 19
(Image: WX Charts/Met Desk)
Flood alerts
This week, flooding from rain and snowmelt is set to be an ongoing issue. Natural Resources Wales currently has a number of flood alerts in place, as detailed below. Sign up for the North Wales Live newsletter sent twice daily to your inbox
River Alyn at Rossett
- Where: Parts of the village, including Burton Road, Station Road, The Copse, Chester Road and properties adjacent to Mill Leat
- What: River levels are rising. Flooding to property is possible. Flooding of low-lying land and roads is expected. Flood defences are now in operation and inspections taking place. Overtopping and/or breaches of these defences may cause flooding to properties at risk.
Alyn catchment
- Where: Areas around the river Alyn from Llandegla to Rossett
- What: Flooding of low-lying land and roads is expected. Rainfall is currently affecting this area. River Levels are above normal levels.
River Dee communities from Llangollen to Trevalyn Meadows
- Where: Communities, businesses and isolated properties along the River Dee including Erbistock, Plas Devon, Almere and Trevalyn Meadows
- What: River levels are rising. Snow melt has caused river levels to go up again.
Lower Dee catchment
- Where: Areas around the River Dee from Llangollen to Trevalyn Meadows
- What: Snow melt has caused river levels to start to rise again.
Vyrnwy catchment
- Where: River Vyrnwy, River Tanat and River Cain and their tributaries
- What: Flooding of low-lying land and roads is expected. River Levels will be above normal levels. Roads close to Meifod Bridge, the B4393 near Llansantffraid Bridge and the B4398 at New Bridge Llanymynech could also be affected by the rising levels.
Lower Severn catchment in Powys
- Where: Areas around the River Severn from Newtown to the Severn-Vyrnwy Confluence
- What: Flooding of low-lying land and roads is expected. River Levels will be above normal levels. Roads close to Cilcewydd, Trehelig, Welshpool and Llandrinio could also be affected with rising river levels.
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