Met Office forecasts snow and ice in Devon and Cornwall
- Published
Snow is forecast for parts of Devon and Cornwall
Warnings of snow and ice have been extended to cover all of Devon and Cornwall on Wednesday and Thursday.
The Met Office said a yellow weather warning was in place for both counties beginning at 00:00 GMT on Wednesday.
The weather body said many parts of the warning area could expect accumulations of up to 3cm (1.1in) of snow.
It said higher parts of the counties, especially Dartmoor, Bodmin Moor and Exmoor, could experience up to 10cm (3.9in) of snow.
Forecasters warned some rural communities could become cut off, adding that cuts to power and phone services were possible.
They also warned spells of snow could cause travel delays, with some road users stranded, and the risk of slips and falls on ice.
Analysis
By Alex Osborne, BBC weather forecaster
The Met Office recently updated and extended its weather warning - starting 00:00 Wednesday until 09:00 Thursday - for both snow and ice, across the majority of the South West, excluding only the Isles of Scilly.
Another front is expected to push in from the south-west later on Tuesday night, bringing outbreaks of rain and the risk of snow on its leading edge, and easing into Wednesday morning.
With temperatures falling to 0.5C (32.9F), it brings the threat of some ice on Tuesday night and Wednesday morning. Wednesday will then see another spell of rain spreading in - some of it heavy - with some sleet and snow mixed in, especially further east.
Accumulations of 1-3cm (0.4-1.2in) are possible, and as much as 5-10cm (2-4in) over the moors. Disruption to travel is possible.
It is only a brief cold snap, however, as things turn milder with Atlantic air arriving from Thursday. With that, the return of some wetter and windier weather is expected.
Despite now being in meteorological 'spring', it seems we're not done with winter just yet.
Cornwall Council said its gritters would be out from 20:00 on Wednesday in central and north-eastern parts of the county.
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Devon County Council urged motorists to avoid unnecessary journeys.
The UK Health Security Agency has also issued a level three cold weather alert for the whole of England.
A yellow warning for snow and ice covers Devon and Cornwall
Dr Agostinho Sousa, head of extreme events and heath protection at the agency, said people should check on vulnerable relatives and to heat homes to at least 18C (64.4F).
The weather warning is expected to be lifted at 09:00 on Thursday.
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- Published6 March 2023
