UK forecast: Storm Barra hits tomorrow with four inches of snow and 70mph gales at start of five-day deep freeze
WINTER’s second named storm is about to batter Britain with severe weather warnings issued across almost the whole of the country.
The 500-mile wide Storm Barra is set to arrive on Tuesday, bringing 70mph gales and up to four inches of snow.
It’s the second major storm of the winter prompting weather warnings to be issued.
Brits will be hit with a nine day stretch of wet and wild wintry weather with fears the blast could knock out more power.
The Met Office has issued yellow warnings for snow in Scotland and the north.
As much as four inches of show is expected as heavier drifts make their way in from the east.
Yellow warnings for high winds are in place for almost all of the UK on Tuesday.
Gales, torrential rain and wintry downpours are expected over the next few days as a big freeze hits the UK.
Most read in The Sun
Up to four inches of snow are expected to hit while the winds could reach up to 70mph.
It comes just days after Storm Arwen left hundreds of thousands without power last weekend.
Last night the Energy Networks Association said that 3,190 homes were still waiting to be reconnected.
This is down from 4,700 homes on Saturday night. Most of the homes still cut off are in the North-East of England, the ENA added.
Thousands of people are still without heating and hot water as the UK braces itself for Barra.
But the Met’s warnings this week show there is no sign of the chaotic weather letting up.
The storm Barra was named by the Irish Meteorological Service.
According to WX Charts, snow is expected to hit some part of the UK in the lead up to Tuesday.
Jim Dale, meteorologist for British Weather Services, said: “A low-pressure system is deepening very rapidly, and it could generate something which will warrant another named storm.
“South-western parts of the country will be worst affected, and the main issue will be the wind although there is the potential for rain and for showers to turn wintry.
“We will be keeping our eye on this system, which has the potential to whip up gusts of 60 to 70mph.”
According to the Met Office, Monday will see rain and wind especially in the north and west parts of the country.
Tuesday and Wednesday will see snow on the hills with coastal gales in the west.
Exact Weather’s James Madden said: “Rain will start turning to snow across parts of the country on Monday, ahead of the storm arriving on Tuesday.
“Tuesday will see an extensive and rapidly deepening area of low pressure working its way northwards across the country initially bringing heavy rain and strong winds.
“This will turn to snow as the storm system meets colder conditions across the UK.
“With the storm coinciding with snow, we could see a ‘snow bomb’ effect where heavy snow erupts suddenly with stormy conditions.”
The Met Office said it is “keeping an eye on” the storm as it develops.
Spokesman Grahame Madge said: “We can’t rule out a name, but we can’t rule one in either.
“While Ireland looks likely to be worst affected from Monday, this system will affect the UK and it is the most significant feature we are seeing certainly for the next five days.
“If the storm tracks south of the UK, there will be an associated risk of snow.
“The system is expected to start having an influence on the UK from Monday and into mid-week.
“The main features appear to be the wind and rain, and our meteorologists are keeping an eye on it.”
Most read in UK News
Meanwhile, forecasters have not ruled out the possibility of a White Christmas as December is set to be very cold with temperatures expected to reach -10C.
Mr Madden said: “December will start to turn very cold early on and these cold conditions will continue throughout the month.
“There are some notable snow events looking possible around just after the second week of the month, and these could be widespread and heavy wintry downpours.
“Christmas Day is looking largely dry and cold at the moment, but things can change, and we still can’t rule out a White Christmas.
“Throughout the month, widespread frosts and temperatures of -10C or below will be possible as north and north-easterly winds develop.”
We pay for your stories!
Do you have a story for The Sun news desk?
Email us at exclusive@the-sun.co.uk or call 0207 782 4104. You can WhatsApp us on 07423 720 250. We pay for videos too.
Click here to upload yours.
Click here to get The Sun newspaper delivered for FREE for the next six weeks.