SNOW GO AREA

Possible named storm on way with large amounts of snow

- By ANDREW FORGRAVE Countryside and Tourism Editor [e-mail]

A MAJOR Atlantic low is on course to slam into North Wales this week. The system, which has potential to become a named storm, could dump large amounts of snow as it collides with cold air.

In strong winds, especially in northwest Wales, blizzard conditions are possible as the system tracks across the country. As it makes inroads, the potential snow bomb may be followed by rapid snow melt, giving rise to possible flash flooding, online forecasters have said.

Met Office experts have been watching the system for several days and have been warning of the potential for "widespread snow". Not all weather models agree on the snowstorm's trajectory but there is converging confidence it will materialise on Thursday into Friday, January 8-9.

The Met Office has issued a 23-hour yellow alert for more testing conditions from midday yesterday until 11am today.