The Met Office has forecasted snowfall in Derbyshire later this week amid a 36-hour snow and ice warning across the majority of the UK. The warning is in place from 12pm on Saturday (January 4) until 11.59pm on Sunday (January 5), with sub-zero temperatures expected throughout.
A six-day amber cold health alert has also been issued across the Midlands starting on Thursday (January 2) until Wednesday (January 8). The UK Health Security Agency said: “Forecast weather is likely to cause significant impacts across health and social care services, including a rise in deaths, particularly among those aged 65 and over or with health conditions.
“We may also see impacts on younger age groups, a likely increase in demand for health services, temperatures inside places like hospitals, care homes, and clinics dropping below the levels recommended for assessing health risks, challenges keeping indoor temperatures at the recommended 18C leading to more risk to vulnerable people, staffing issues due to external factors (such as travel delays) and other sectors starting to observe impacts (such as transport and energy).”
Snow has been forecasted in areas towards the south of the county such as Derby and Swadlincote on Saturday (January 5), with towns and villages in the north of the county and the Peak District set for a slightly heavier dusting. A spokesperson for the Met Office said: “Outbreaks of rain spreading progressively northeastwards later on Saturday and overnight into Sunday will likely be preceded by a spell of snow on its northern flank.
“Whilst there is some uncertainty, any snow in southern and eastern parts of England, especially at low levels, will probably be rather transient before turning back to rain. However, some significant accumulations of snow are possible across parts of Wales, the Midlands and northern England in particular, at least for a time, where 5 cm or more could accumulate fairly widely, with perhaps as much as 20-30 cm over high ground of mid and north Wales and potentially 30-40 cm over parts of the Pennines.
“This, accompanied by strengthening winds, may lead to drifting of lying snow. In addition, as milder air moves northwards, snow may turn to a spell of freezing rain for a time, again more especially across parts of Wales, the Midlands and northern England, adding to the risk of ice and leading to some treacherous conditions in places.
“A fairly rapid thaw of lying snow is possible later on Sunday, although exactly how far north the rapid thaw will reach remains uncertain at this stage.”
What time snow could hit different parts of Derbyshire this weekend?
- Derby: 6pm on Saturday – 12am on Sunday (Light snow)
- Swadlincote: 6pm on Saturday – 12am on Sunday (Light snow)
- Ashbourne: 6pm on Saturday – 12am on Sunday (Heavy snow)
- Belper: 6pm on Saturday – 12am on Sunday (Heavy snow)
- Bakewell: 6pm on Saturday – 2am on Sunday (Heavy snow)
- Buxton: 6pm on Saturday – 3am on Sunday (Heavy snow)