Britons are bracing for two rare and potentially hazardous weather occurrences after forecasts of snow and strong winds today. Storm Goretti, named by Meteo France earlier this week, is set to sweep over the UK on Thursday and Friday, prompting various Met Office alerts for snow, wind, ice, and rain.
The Met Office has issued two amber warnings, one for wind in the south-west of England and another for snow across parts of Wales, the Midlands, and northern England. Anticipated snowfall in these regions could reach up to 30cm (around 12 inches), with temperatures already plummeting below -12C this week.
Recent advanced weather models indicate the possibility of two unusual weather phenomena following Storm Goretti. The ECMWF weather model suggests the occurrence of ice pellets in northern England on Sunday evening, particularly around the Pennines and Northumberland National Park.
Ice pellets form when snowflakes partially melt while falling, then refreeze into grain-like particles upon encountering sub-freezing air. These pellets, smaller than hailstones, bounce upon impact and can accumulate on the ground like snow but in a denser form.
Meanwhile, the GFS weather model indicates the likelihood of freezing rain affecting extensive areas of Scotland, including Glasgow, on Sunday evening. Freezing rain occurs when snow turns into rain after passing through warm air, then supercools upon contact with colder air, creating a clear layer of ice upon freezing upon contact with the ground.
Freezing rain poses significant hazards, including risks to aircraft due to the weight of ice, potential tree and power line damage, and the transformation of surfaces into hazardous icy conditions. Structures like bridges and elevated roadways are particularly vulnerable to freezing rain due to their rapid freezing tendencies, while the ice accumulation on tree branches and power lines can cause breakage or collapse.