Thundersnow may strike the UK this week as forecasters issue ice warnings for large parts of the UK while temperatures are set to plummet below zero.
The MET Office have issued weather alerts, which are likely to cause disruption for road and rail users as wet ground turns to ice and temperatures plunge.
Read more: Threat to life warning as severe snow and ice hits UK
A fleet of 32 gritters were out in south west Scotland where Transerv described conditions as “Baltic”, while efforts were underway to keep the M62 trans-Pennine route open with ploughs and salt.
A MET Office spokeswoman told Sky News: “When thunderstorms form in wintry conditions, they can sometimes give rise to heavy downpours of snow, along with the usual thunder and lightening, so it is called thundersnow.
“It is considered unusual because it can only really occur during a few months of the year.”
Read more: MET Office warn snow could batter Britain as early as next week
The ‘thudersnow’ front is expected to hit northern and western parts of the UK. The Western Highlands are expected to face the brunt of the snow with higher areas predicted to face 10cm.
The MET Office’s Simon Partridge said: “Some snow could be seen on the lower levels, so it’s not exclusively left to the high ground – but it could end up being rain, snow, rain.
“So, on and off there could be snow from now until the early hours of Wednesday for the west of Scotland and for the best part of 24 hours.”
Sunny spells and wintry showers today! There’ll be a mix of rain, hail, sleet and #snow.
While most of the snow will be over high ground (>150m) with 1-4cm accumulating, anyone could see some snow in the heavier, thundery showers. #thundersnow⚡❄ pic.twitter.com/JqRF4FCBEr
— Simon King (@SimonOKing) January 22, 2019
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Meteorologist Sophie Yeomans told The Mirror: “We’ve got some ice warnings; the weather front that has gone through has left rain on the ground, so as the air temperatures start to drop ground temperatures will be below zero and that’s giving the risk of ice across most of the UK.
“So look out for any areas where the surfaces haven’t been treated. On untreated surfaces there’s a risk of slips and falls.
“There’s also a risk of some icy surfaces on any untreated roads.”
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