Brace yourself for a chilly weekend
Snow falls on Dartmoor(Image: Mark Shackleton)
Devon is braced for snow and ice as an Arctic blast is covering much of the UK, bringing freezing temperatures this weekend.
Forecasters at the Exeter-based Met Office have issued three yellow weather warnings from snow and ice, which are in place from 4pm today (Saturday, January 3) until 11am on Tuesday (January 6).
The Met Office warned that heavy snow showers could see some rural communities cut off, as well as a risk of power cuts in some areas.
Much of the region is under a yellow snow and ice warning this weekend, as Devon and Cornwall could see heavy snow showers in the coming days.
The Met Office warned of travel disruption and said that there is also a risk of injury from falls on icy surfaces.
Chief forecaster, Neil Armstrong, said “With Arctic air now covering most of the UK very cold weather will continue through the weekend, with minus double figures overnight in places and daytime temperatures struggling to rise above 0°C for some.
“It looks like this cold spell could last well into next week and wintry hazards will continue with more weather warnings likely. It is therefore important people keep up to date with the latest forecast and warnings and plan ahead.”
The Met Office forecasts temperatures to remain around freezing this weekend, with snow and sleet showers, and ice forming overnight.
Hour-by-hour forecast
9pm
A small patch of hail in Great Torrington, clear elsewhere. Freezing temperatures in Plymouth, Teignmouth, Exeter, dropping to -2°C in mid Devon and further inland. Tiverton, Salcombe and Tavistock reach -1°C.
10pm
A small hail and sleet shower will move across Launceston, but otherwise widely clear. Temperatures remain low, South Molton and Chumleigh drop to -3°C.
11pm
Some will see temperatures drop to -4°C, more will also drop below freezing, and continue to drop. No snow or hail expected.
Overnight forecast for Plymouth(Image: Met Office )
Midnight
Exeter and Plymouth fall to -1°C, temperatures on Dartmoor will drop to -2°C. Parts of North Devon will also reach -4°C at this time. Holswothy will see a patch of hail.
1am
Snow and rain expected to fall near the Devon and Cornwall border. Hail and rain will hit Ilfracombe. Temperatures remain below freezing for all of Devon.
2am
Up to 4mm of snow will fall near Great Torrington. Brief rain showers will begin to move across North Devon too, and some may see some hail along the coast.
3am
More hail and rain across the North Devon coast, patches of sleet across mid Devon. Temperatures widely remain between -1°C and -3°C but will feel more like -6°C.
4am
Temperatures remain low, feeling colder in Plymouth, Dartmoor, Exeter, and South Devon. Small flurries of snow just outside of Dartmoor which will move down to Tavistock. Rain showers in Barnstaple.
Overnight forecast for Exeter(Image: Met Office )
5am
North Devon coast will begin to see temperatures creep back up to zero and 1°C but the rest of the country will remain between -1°C and -3°C. Snow will fall in Chumleigh and Barnstaple, some may see hail showers as well.
6am
Up to 4mm of snow is expected to fall at Holsworthy and across South Molton, with some hail too. Rain and sleet expected in Great Torrington. Temperatures remain between -1°C and -3°C for most.
7am
Snow falls across Okehampton, sleet showers at Ilfracombe, which may turn to snow as it moves south from the coast. Snow expected to fall in Mortonhapstead. Temperatures of-1 for Plymouth, Dartmoor, and Holsworthy. Exeter, and Salcombe stay at -2°C and Totnes, Honiton, and Tiverton at 3°C. Dulverton drops to -4°C.
Overnight forecast for North Devon(Image: Met Office )
8am
Heavier snow showers fall on the Devon and Cornwall border. Patches of snow across parts of Dartmoor too. Sleet showers move across North Devon, and heavier snow falls in Holsworthy around 8.45am. Temperatures remain much the same, South Molton and Chumleigh also drop to -4°C. Feeling colder than -1°C in South Devon, and colder than -3°C in and around Honiton.
9am
Hail and rain begins to move across North Devon, Dartmoor and mid Devon may see up to 4mm of snow fall. Patches of snow expected to move south hitting Tavistock. Some will see temperatures begin to rise. Exeter, Plymouth, Tavistock remain at -1°C. South Devon coast at -2°C.
10am
Heavy snow in Great Torrington, as well as rain towards Ilfracombe and hail. Snow will also fall across Dartmoor as bands of snow move south. Rain showers along the north coast. Much of Devon back to freezing. Tavistock, and North Devon will reach between 1 and 3°C. Dartmoor and Exeter feeling colder.
The UKHSA has issued an amber cold health alert until January 9 at 10am.
Vulnerable groups of people are most likely to be at risk, and the cold weather is expected to put extra strain on the health services.
Dr Agostinho Sousa, Head of Extreme Events and Health Protection at UKHSA, said: “As the colder weather sets in it is vital to check in on friends, family and neighbours that are most vulnerable.
“The forecast temperatures can have a serious impact on the health of some people, leading to increased risk of heart attacks, strokes and chest infections, particularly for individuals over the age of 65 and those with pre-existing health conditions.”