Manchester set for icy week as Met Office issues yellow warnings for snow and ice- full forecast

Snow, ice and freezing temperatures look set to be on the agenda for Manchester this week. The freezing temperatures will remind us all that we are still right in the middle of winter.

The conditions have led to the Met Office issuing yellow snow and ice warnings for large parts of the country, including Manchester. Warnings are in place on January 16, 17 and 18 for either snow and ice or just snow. 

A second warning for just snow will come into effect immediately after the previous one, at midnight on January 17. This will be in place for Manchester until at least 11.59pm on January 18. 

For most of the time there are weather warnings in Manchester, the high temperature will struggle to get above 2/3C. Long spells of clear skies will also lead to an icy feel to the days. 

During the warnings, The Met Office has issued details of what to expect. This information is as follows: 

• Possible travel delays on roads stranding some vehicles and passengers
• Power cuts may occur, with the potential to affect other services, such as mobile phone coverage
• Possible delays or cancellations to rail and air travel
• A chance of injuries from slips and falls on icy surfaces
• Some rural communities could become cut off
• Some roads and railways affected with longer journey times by road, bus and train services
• There is a small chance that power cuts will occur and other services, such as mobile phone coverage, may be affected
• There is a slight chance that some rural communities could become cut off
• There is a slight chance of snow-covered roads leading to stranded vehicles and passengers, along with delayed or cancelled rail and air travel

Met Office Deputy Chief Meteorologist Chris Bulmer said: “Snow showers from Sunday onwards are most likely to move inland from coasts exposed to northerly winds. The focus of snow showers will be over northern Scotland, but parts of the North Sea and Irish Sea coasts may also see some snow at times.

“There are a couple of weather systems for Tuesday and Wednesday which we are keeping an eye on that bring the potential for disruptive snow for some regions. With cold air firmly in place, any weather systems that move across the country next week will bringing mainly snowfall inland. Models are currently showing us a variety of options for both systems and we’ll be able to add more details to in the coming days.”

Met Office forecast for week ahead in the North West

January 17

Frosty with icy surfaces at first and isolated patches of mist or freezing fog. Thereafter a crisp winter's day with plenty of sunshine for all. Staying generally dry but a few snow flurries are possible in coastal regions. Feeling cold. Maximum temperature 2C.

Dry and clear this evening and overnight with temperatures quickly plummeting after sunset. Another widespread and severe frost developing with icy patches. Possible snow flurries in Merseyside and Cheshire later. Minimum temperature -6C.

January 18

Another dry, sunny and cold day for most after a very frosty and locally icy start. Snow flurries may clip some coasts, more especially Merseyside, filtering into Cheshire at times. Maximum temperature 3C.

After another frosty night, dry on Friday with plenty of sunshine and feeling somewhat less cold. Turning milder and windier over the weekend with coastal gales possible and some rain.