Meteorologists reckon the Potteries will shiver in -6C misty conditions as temperatures plummeted even further. The overnight freezing weather saw a number of schools across North Staffordshire forced to shut today as leaders pointed to ‘dangerous’ conditions.
Now weather maps show more snow could hit the Potteries at the weekend as the wintry blast continues. However before then and temperatures are ready to nosedive to a backdrop of mist and fog.
The BBC reckons the early hours will see temperatures falling to -6C in Stoke-on-Trent and Newcastle while it will be down to -7C in and around Leek. According to the Met Office and freezing fog forms in temperatures below freezing as ‘tiny water droplets in the air remain as liquid.’
When such droplets from freezing fog does freeze onto surfaces a white deposit of ‘feathery ice crystals’ is formed. Known as rime and it’s rarely seen on low levels – and is more frequent on mountain tops and higher ground. Meanwhile weather maps service WXCharts is predicting snow on Saturday afternoon in what would represent the fourth day this week where the white stuff has settled.
Weather maps show a chance of snow in Stoke-on-Trent on Saturday
Latest forecast for North Staffordshire
According to the BBC and it will be misty across parts of North Staffordshire today with temperatures only set to get up to 1C in the city and 0C in the Moorlands and Newcastle. Moving into Thursday and it’ll drop down to -6C in most places and as low as -7C in the Moorlands.
There will also be mist and fog across North Staffordshire while the Met Office says it could feel as cold as -9C in Leek. Both the Met Office and BBC agree there will be a run of dry days in Stoke-on-Trent – until light rain on January 14 when temperatures will also climb up to 8C.
Meanwhile the Beeb says Leek will see sleet on Saturday. Neither forecaster reckon there will be any further snow flurries.
But on its map, WXCharts reckons there will be flurries across North Staffordshire midday on Saturday.
Met Office’s long-range UK forecast
January 12 – January 21
“High pressure is likely to build from the south close-to or over the UK throughout this period, with generally settled conditions prevailing for many. Cloud amounts will be variable and often large, with a chance of some fog developing under clearer spells, which could be slow to clear.
“Frontal systems may affect some parts of the UK though, these more likely towards the northwest of the UK, bringing some rain and windier conditions here. Any systems are likely to be fairly weak though as they run into the high pressure. Temperatures are likely to be generally around or a little above average in the north and west, although southern and eastern parts may be colder at times, especially where overnight fog and frost is slow to clear.”
January 22 – February 5
“High pressure may initially dominate, especially in the south, bringing quiet, grey, and cool conditions here. Northern parts are more-likely to be unsettled but milder. This pattern will likely spread across the whole UK by the end of the period, leading to milder conditions with periods of rain and strong winds more widely.”
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