Yellow warning for snow and ice issued for Cornwall

A yellow warning is in force from 12:00 on Wednesday until 23:59 on Thursday, with forecasters warning of wintry conditions.

The Met Office alert follows a period of increasingly cold weather, with a stream of showers expected to move southwards across Cornwall during Wednesday and into Thursday. According to Dave Clark, forecaster at the Kernow Weather Team, these showers are likely to include sleet, hail, rain and, in some areas, falling snow.

Snow is most likely to settle overnight and during the early morning, particularly further inland and away from the coast. Higher ground above 200 metres, including Bodmin Moor and exposed inland routes, is expected to have the greatest chance of accumulation. Inland and upland areas could see between 2 cm and 5 cm of snow, with isolated spots potentially receiving up to 10 cm where showers persist for longer. Coastal locations are more likely to experience sleet or wet snow, and some southern and south-western areas may see little or no lying snow.

Gusty winds are expected at times, with the possibility of brief gale-force conditions around exposed coasts and higher terrain. Some showers may also bring hail. Forecasters warn that melting snow could refreeze overnight, leading to hazardous icy patches on untreated roads and pavements.

Daytime temperatures are forecast to range between 1°C and 6°C, although wind chill is expected to make conditions feel below freezing. Nights are likely to be particularly cold, especially inland.

Further updates are expected as new forecast data becomes available.

Dave Clark said that predicting snow in Cornwall remains challenging because of the county’s position in the Atlantic and the warming influence of the surrounding sea. Snow typically requires a combination of cold air aloft, low surface temperatures and sufficiently intense showers to overcome coastal moderation. As a result, conditions can vary significantly over short distances, with coastal areas more prone to sleet, while inland and higher ground stand a better chance of seeing settling snow.