Experts at the Met Office have sounded a cold weather warning for Bristol and the South West, warning that "disruptive snow" could be on the way. There is now a Level 2 alert in place across all of England and forcasters have said there is a 60 per cent probability of severe cold weather, icy conditions and heavy snow between 12:01am on Monday (March 6) and 11:59pm on Wednesday (March 8).
According to the Met Office, the cold snap could increase health risks, impact the most vulnerable people, and interfere with the delivery of services. A Met Office statement says: "There is at least a 60% probability of severe cold weather/icy conditions/heavy snow between 0001 on Monday 06 Mar and 2359 on Wednesday 08 Mar across England.
"This weather could increase the health risks to vulnerable patients and disrupt the delivery of services. Please refer to the national Cold Weather Plan and your Trust's emergency plan for appropriate preventive action.
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"High pressure is expected to become displaced towards Greenland with a cold north to north-easterly airflow becoming established across the whole of the UK during next week. There is the potential for some wintry hazards from frequent snow showers or prolonged spells of snow in places, with low pressure near the North Sea, with impacts more likely across windward coasts in the north and east.
"Atlantic frontal systems may push into the south and southwest at times, more likely from mid-week, which may bring the threat of disruptive snow - low confidence at this stage."
Warnings like this alert level warning are triggered when the risk is 60% or above for any of the thresholds to be breached. The Met Office said this is an important stage for social and healthcare services who will be working to ensure readiness and swift action to reduce harm from a potential period of cold weather.
The Met Office's long-range forecasts have in recent days begun to forecast potentially disruptive show showers, with today's UK-wide forecast saying that "organised bands of snow" could soon make their way over the country.
The South West five-day forecast
Today (Thursday):
After a chilly start, a largely dry day with plenty of early spring sunshine and some patchy cloud. Feeling pleasant in the sun with winds remaining light. Maximum temperature 10 °C.
Tonight:
Staying dry with lengthy clear skies to start. Cloud gradually builds from the east overnight with occasional breaks allowing for a local frost to develop, mainly in the west. Minimum temperature 0 °C.
Friday:
Remaining dry with some sunny intervals. The best of the sunshine during the morning. Cloudier overnight with a patchy frost under any prolonged cloud breaks. Maximum temperature 8 °C.
Outlook for Saturday to Monday:
Often cloudy but largely dry, with some sunny intervals. Isolated showers possible Sunday and Monday. Feeling rather cold and overnight frosts possible.
After a chilly start, a largely dry day with plenty of early spring sunshine and some patchy cloud. Feeling pleasant in the sun with winds remaining light. Maximum temperature 10 °C.
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