Brits brace for energy cuts as 25 UK areas warned to organize for 15-hour snowstorm

A whopping 25 UK regions could be plunged into darkness due to a 15-hour snowstorm set to hit on Tuesday. Residents are being warned that an Arctic blast is set to cause havoc across parts of Scotland, with travel plans thrown into chaos and power supplies under threat.

Meanwhile, the north of England has been put on ice alert. The Met Office has slapped a 15-hour yellow weather warning for snow into place, kicking off at 3am on Tuesday, November 18 and lasting until 6pm, impacting seven areas in Scotland.

Over in England, a yellow weather warning for ice could also usher in snowfall and ‘subzero’ temperatures to parts including Durham, Cumbria and Northumberland as well as Yorkshire, starting at 5am on Tuesday and running until midday, affecting another 18 areas.

The Met Office is sounding the alarm over potential disruption to power supplies due to the snow, urging households in the affected areas to brace themselves, reports the Express.

Regarding its snow warning in Scotland, it stated: “A period of snow on Tuesday could bring some disruption to transport and infrastructure across higher parts of Scotland.

“An area of rain will reach the west of Scotland early on Tuesday, before pushing erratically south and east through the morning, easing and clearing into the afternoon. Whilst there is some uncertainty as to the exact track and extent, a period of snow is likely over high ground, with accumulations of 2-5 cm possible above about 150 m elevation, and as much as 5-10 cm above 400 m.”

In its frosty forecast for England and Scotland, the Met Office warned: “Outbreaks of rain and hill snow, falling on subzero surfaces, could lead to some icy conditions on Tuesday morning.

“Outbreaks of rain spreading southeastwards on Tuesday, initially falling on subzero surfaces, and with snow on high ground, could lead to some icy stretches in places during the morning. Snow accumulations of 1-3 cm will be possible on some hills above about 300 m elevation.”

The weather experts advised those in the affected areas: “Keep yourself and your family safe when it is icy. Plan to leave the house at least five minutes earlier than normal. Not needing to rush, reduces your risk of accidents, slips, and falls.

“If you need to make a journey on foot, try to use pavements along main roads which are likely to be less slippery. Similarly, if cycling, try and stick to main roads which are more likely to have been treated.”

Those preparing for potential power cuts have been urged to stock up on torches and candles, as well as batteries, and to charge their phones as well as any phone charging power banks, to ensure you’re well prepared.

You should also insulate pipes to prevent them from freezing, and seal up any draughts inside the house. Open your curtains during the day, when it’s light, and close them again when darkness falls.

The Met Office list of areas in the snow warning includes:

• Central, Tayside & Fife
• Grampian
• Highlands & Eilean Siar
• Strathclyde

And its 20 areas affected by the ice warning are:

Central, Tayside & Fife

• Clackmannanshire
• Falkirk
• Fife
• Perth and Kinross
• Stirling

North East England

• Durham
• Northumberland

North West England

SW Scotland, Lothian Borders

• Dumfries and Galloway
• East Lothian
• Edinburgh
• Midlothian Council
• Scottish Borders
• West Lothian

Strathclyde

• East Ayrshire
• East Dunbartonshire
• North Lanarkshire
• South Ayrshire
• South Lanarkshire

Yorkshire & Humber

• North Yorkshire