UK weather: Snow and ice forecast before Storm Dennis arrives

Snow and ice are forecast to disrupt the UK on Wednesday, as the country recovers from Storm Ciara and prepares for Storm Dennis.

“Blizzard conditions” are possible over Cumbria, Northumberland and large parts of Scotland, the Met Office has warned, as snow showers and strong winds combine.

There is a yellow weather warning in place for those areas, where up to 10cm (4in) of snow could fall in higher parts.

Northern Ireland could see further snow showers, forecasters said.

Once the freeze is out of the way, the UK is set to be hit by high winds and heavy rain for a second successive weekend as Storm Dennis arrives.

Gusts of up to 50mph (80kmh), are possible, with more than 60mph (96kmh) possible over hills, coastal areas and exposed locations.

It will not touch the 97mph (156kmh) winds of Storm Ciara, but further flooding is possible, with 43 warnings still in place in England, six in Scotland and one in Wales following recent heavy rainfall.

Sky weather presenter Kirsty McCabe said: “We’re between major storm systems at the moment, with the clean-up from Storm Ciara continuing before Storm Dennis proves to be a menace this weekend.

“However, the weather is anything but quiet with wintry hazards to watch out for on Wednesday morning. Much of Scotland, northwest England and Northern Ireland are at risk of snow and ice, and possible travel disruption.

“Frequent show showers and strong winds could lead to blizzard conditions over the hills. Any snow accumulations over lower ground will be temporary but up to 10cm is possible over the hills.

“While Storm Dennis is not set to be as disruptive as Storm Ciara, there is a concern that heavy rain falling on ground already saturated will lead to flooding,” she added.

Around 730 properties are believed to have been affected by flooding in recent days, according to the Environment Agency, which has warned Dennis, the fourth named storm of the 2019-20 season, could bring more.

Caroline Douglass, the agency’s flood duty manager, said: “River and surface water flooding is possible on Saturday into Sunday due to Storm Dennis and we are advising people to check their flood risk and to stay safe on the coast or when walking or driving near swollen rivers.”

She also warned people against taking “dangerous” so-called storm selfies.

Met Office chief meteorologist Steve Ramsdale said: “Another spell of very wet and windy weather is expected for Saturday.

“Although Storm Dennis is currently not expected to be as severe as Ciara, disruption is still likely.”

On Tuesday, a man in his 60s died after being hit by a falling tree branch while walking his dog in Liverpool.

A man from Micheldever in Hampshire died on the A33 after a tree fell on to his Mercedes on Sunday as a result of the storm.

(c) Sky News 2020: UK weather: Snow and ice forecast before Storm Dennis arrives