UK faces 'rare' weather phenomenon 'extremely hazardous for aircraft'

New forecast charts from WX Charts, which uses Met Desk data, shows the UK subjected to unusual freezing weather that is "extremely hazardous for aircraft".
-Credit:Reach Publishing Services Limited


UK weather maps have turned orange and show a "rare" weather phenomenon hitting the country. New forecast charts from WX Charts, which uses Met Desk data, shows the UK subjected to unusual freezing weather that is "extremely hazardous for aircraft".

Freezing rain has been forecast across February 15, from 6am, with the Scottish Highlands at risk alongside other areas. Freezing rain is a rare form of precipitation that freezes almost instantly after striking a cold surface, giving everything from leaves to car mirrors the appearance of ice sculptures.

These scenes may be pretty, but they can be dangerous. The weight of the ice brought about by freezing rain can be heavy enough to bring down power lines and fell trees; the instant freezing effect is a big problem for gritters as the rain can instantly coat roads and runways in slippery ice.

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Freezing rain occurs when the droplets instead pass through another layer of cold air before landing. The droplets become “supercooled”, meaning they are still falling in liquid form even though their temperature has fallen below freezing.

A Met Office forecast from February 8 to February 17 explains: "High pressure will likely sit to the northeast of the UK during this period. Consequently, winds across many areas are likely to come from an easterly quadrant, with cold conditions likely, and there's even the possibility of some snow at times.

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"Over the first weekend though, most places will be dry, if rather cloudy, with a few wintry showers possible near some southern and eastern coasts, but some sunshine elsewhere. During the following week, this theme continues, though the risk of wintry showers increases with a risk of some sleet or snow falling more widely for a time, but still with some sunshine in between.

"Temperatures will likely be a few degrees below average with some hard frosts and the wind may make it feel much colder at times."