Met Office says snow risk 'greater than normal' this month

The weather agency has released its latest long-range forecast covering January 6 to January 30.

It comes after wet and windy weather has caused disruption across the country - including in the Bradford district - over several weeks. 

In the long-range forecast for January 6 to January 15, a Met Office spokesperson said: "The weekend sees somewhat more settled conditions introduced quite widely across the country, with colder conditions and some frosty nights (perhaps becoming widespread and severe in time).

"Initially there are still likely to be some showers, especially around windward coasts in the east and north, but in general most areas start to see longer, more settled spells develop.

"Occasional unsettled spells are still possible, but these generally much more regionalised, and infrequent than conditions of late, perhaps not even materialising.

"As temperatures fall, the chance of any precipitation falling as sleet and snow increases, particularly over high ground and especially over northern parts of the UK, but not exclusively so by any means.

"As well as frost and ice by night, some freezing fog is likely to develop as well."

Turning to the period between January 16 and January 30, the Met Office spokesperson added: "Compared to normal, there is an increased chance of colder than average conditions during this period.

"Currently the chance of widespread severe cold is still deemed low, but still the risk of impacts from cold, including ice and snow, is greater than normal.

"It is likely to be drier than recent weeks, but what does fall is more likely to be of a wintry nature.

"While there is a chance of brief, unsettled spells, which would bring milder air for a time, it would likely also be accompanied by a period of sleet or snow.

"However, when, or even if, this would happen is very uncertain, and overall the main theme will be much more in the way of settled conditions through this period."