When Storm Goretti could bring snow to Lancashire as Met Office issues 19-hour weather warning
Parts of Lancashire could see heavy snow from tomorrow evening as Storm Goretti moves across the UK.
The Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning for snow, in force from 5pm on Thursday, January 8 until midday on Friday, January 9.
The warning covers Burnley, Nelson, Colne and Bacup, with snowfall expected to develop overnight as rain turns to snow, particularly over higher ground.
Forecasters say 5-10cm of snow is likely in many areas, with 15-25cm possible in places, especially above 200 metres.
There is also uncertainty over how much snow will fall in lower-lying areas, meaning some locations may see little accumulation while others could be significantly affected.
A spokesman for the Met Office said: “ There is some uncertainty over the exact track of Storm Goretti, which will influence the locations most likely to see disruptive snow.
“Amounts of snow will also depend quite heavily on both elevation and the intensity of precipitation, and as this becomes somewhat lighter into Friday this will lead to an awkward mix of rain, sleet and snow, gradually clearing away to the east.
“Therefore there is likely to be a lot of variation, even over relatively short distances.”
According to forecasters, residents should prepare for:
- Travel delays and hazardous driving conditions
- Possible rail and air disruption
- Rural communities becoming temporarily cut off
- Power cuts and mobile signal disruption
Rain linked to Storm Goretti will move north-east across Lancashire on Thursday afternoon, before turning increasingly wintry overnight.
As the system weakens on Friday, conditions may become mixed, with rain, sleet and snow varying sharply even over short distances.
Storm Goretti has been named by Météo-France, as the strongest winds are expected over northern France, though its northern edge is forecast to bring disruptive snow to parts of northern England.
The Met Office is urging people to plan journeys carefully, check road conditions before travelling and prepare for rapidly changing weather, warning that forecasts may be updated as confidence improves.