Temperatures in parts of the UK are set to plunge well below freezing this weekend, with Scotland bracing for heavy snowfall and a rare weather phenomenon known as freezing rain expected to cause hazardous conditions across multiple regions. Forecasters warn that a massive snow front stretching from Edinburgh to Manchester could bring up to three inches of snow, with areas such as Aberdeenshire dropping to -5°C and the Highlands reaching -4°C.
The UK will also be facing the dangerous effects of freezing rain—an uncommon but severe weather event in which supercooled liquid rain freezes instantly upon contact with cold surfaces. The Met Office has cautioned that this could result in treacherous road conditions, power outages, and significant disruptions to travel, particularly for air passengers.
Alex Burkill, a Met Office meteorologist, explained, “We have something a bit warmer coming in, but underneath it closer to the surface, we have some colder air plunging through, and now that’s important because it brings the risk of some freezing rain… It can cause some very icy conditions and could cause some problems.” He also noted in a Met Office video update that “there is this risk through this weekend and into the beginning of next week of various spells of freezing rain mixed in with some sleet and snow at times as well… Any snow, any freezing rain can cause some issues so we may need to issue some warnings for these nearer the time.”
Weather experts highlight that freezing rain can lead to significant structural damage, with the Met Office said, “The weight of the ice can sometimes be heavy enough to bring down trees and power lines, and the glaze of ice on the ground effectively turns roads and pathways into an ice rink. The freezing rain can also prove extremely hazardous for aircraft.”
The impact is expected to be felt across northern England, Scotland, and Wales, where forecasters predict icy conditions, disruptions to transport, and increased risks for pedestrians. In Wales, freezing rain could strike between Friday, February 14, and Sunday, February 16, coinciding with the Valentine’s weekend and school half-term, potentially causing significant delays for travelers.
While freezing rain is more common in regions like the US, where it can lead to full-scale ice storms, experts caution that even a lighter version in the UK could prove dangerous. In recent days, freezing rain in North America has already caused numerous accidents, with ABC News reporting that alerts were issued for 100 million people across 22 states, from Nebraska to Massachusetts.
Meanwhile, temperatures across the UK will remain bitterly cold, with London expected to reach just 5°C, while northern areas such as County Durham and North Yorkshire could feel as cold as -6°C. Forecasters do not anticipate a significant rise in temperatures until the end of next week.
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