Snow and ice warnings issued for Berkshire and North Hampshire
Temperatures are set to plummet
Last updated 22nd Jan 2021
Temperatures across Berkshire and North Hampshire are set to plummet this weekend with yellow weather warnings for snow and ice issued.
The first alert goes up at 4pm this afternoon (22 January) and lasts through to 10:30am tomorrow (23 January).
The Met Office forecasts rain and sleet, with clear skies between showers bring a risk of ice:
"Showers will continue at times across many areas, these largely of rain and sleet at low levels across southern England and southern Wales and near coasts but will be of sleet and snow elsewhere. These will bring a cover of snow in places. 1-3 cm could accumulate at low levels, mostly across Northern Ireland, Scotland and northern England but as much as 5-10 cm of additional snow may accumulate at higher levels of these areas. Clear skies between showers will also bring the threat of ice."
The second warning is in place from 3am on Sunday (24 January) through to 6pm the same evening, with a forecast for rain turning to snow, with the chance of up to three centimetres falling across the two counties:
"An area of rain will cross the west and southwest of the country on Sunday morning and turn readily to snow as it spreads eastwards, and also lead to some icy surfaces. Mainly 1-3 cm of snow accumulation for most parts, but possibly 5-10 cm over 100 m with a small possibility of 10-15 cm over high ground for example on Dartmoor, the Brecon Beacons and Snowdonia. These snow amounts will cause some disruption to transport, especially on routes that cross even modest high ground."
Temperatures are set to drop to well below zero.
The Met Office prediction for Reading is -5° in the early hours of Sunday, rising only to -2° by midday.
For Basingstoke it is -2° early on Sunday morning, rising to 2° by midday.
The snow and ice could cause some travel disruption.
Icy patches could also form on untreated roads, pavements and cycle paths.