Key Highlights
- The Met Office has issued a yellow warning for snow and ice in Bristol, with sub-zero temperatures forecasted.
- Motorists are advised to take precautionary steps due to slippery road conditions.
- Pedestrians are warned to be cautious on icy pavements.
- The weather is expected to move across the region from around midnight, with potential snow and ice formation.
Hour by Hour Weather Forecast for Bristol: Snow and Ice Warning
The Met Office has issued a yellow warning for a risk of snow and ice covering the city on Friday and into Saturday as temperatures drop below freezing. The chillier weather is expected to move across the region from around midnight tonight, with sub-zero temperatures throughout Friday’s daytime hours.
6 AM: Gentle Northwest Breeze with Chilly Morning
While there will be a gentle northwest breeze, gusts of up to 22mph are forecasted. This will make the actual temperature feel like -1C for much of the morning, despite it being only 3C in reality.
11 AM: Warmer but Windy Conditions
By 11 am, the sun will be out and warm the area to 3C. However, with continued gusts of 22mph, it will still feel colder at 0C. The risk of showers is reduced during this time.
1 PM: Windiest Part of the Day
Meteorologists predict that 1 pm will be the windiest part of the day, with gusts up to 25mph. This keeps pedestrians feeling the chill despite a temperature rise to 4C.
2 PM: Slight Lull in Wind but Steady Temperature
The wind will let up a bit by this stage, remaining at between 17 and 24mph with temperatures staying around 4C. The risk of rain has dropped below 5 percent by this point.
4 PM: Sun Setting, Feeling Colder Again
With the sun setting, it’ll begin to feel colder again as the actual temperature drops to 3C, but with the wind, it will still feel like -1C.
5 PM: Further Drops in Actual Temperature and Feels Like
The actual temperature will drop further to 2C. It is expected to remain steady at this level for a couple of hours as well, but by now, it will be feeling colder still, -2C due to the lack of sunshine.
8 PM: Cold Night Ahead
The actual temperature will remain at 1C throughout the night. However, with the west-northwester wind and a setting sun, it will feel even colder, -3C by the end of the evening.
Advice for Residents and Motorists
Despite the warning, the Met Office is advising residents to plan their day early, leaving five minutes earlier than usual to reduce rush-hour risks. If walking or cycling, stick to main roads which are less likely to be icy.
“If driving,” advises the Met Office, “make sure you have essentials in your car such as warm clothing, food, water, a blanket, a torch, ice scraper/de-icer, a warning triangle, high visibility vest and an in-car phone charger. Be prepared for quick changes in weather warnings.” The agency also urges drivers to check road conditions and bus and train timetables before making any travel plans.
The yellow warning is expected to last until the weekend, with the potential for 1-2 cm of snow in some areas, especially higher ground like north Wales and northwest England. As always, stay updated on local forecasts and plan accordingly.
