Temperatures are set to plummet in the next few hours as the Beast From The East makes an unwelcome reappearance … and snow is forecast across Wokingham borough over the weekend.
Friday saw temperatures soar in the spring sunshine, hitting highs of 12ºC, but as the evening goes on it will get colder and tomorrow afternoon it will feel like –8ºC thanks to wind chill.
The forecast is severe enough for The Met Office to issue a yellow weather warning – although we are miles away from a more severe AMBER warning.
Sleet showers have been forecast for the early hours of the day, between 5am and 7am. Then, after a quiet hour of cloud, it is expected to snow from 9am all the way through to 9am on Sunday, March 18.
Some of the snow showers are expected to be really heavy, especially overnight Saturday into Sunday morning. And temperatures on Sunday are not expected to get above freezing at all.
The big event in the region is Sunday’s Reading Half Marathon and at the moment the race is still expected to go ahead.
Organisers are urging runners to Bring woolly hats and gloves to wear and layer up with base layers or clothing that wicks sweat away from the skin to limit evaporative heat loss.
Any discarded warm clothing will be collected and donated to The Guide Dogs for the Blind Association, while foil blankets will be available at the end of the race.
While temperatures are low all weekend, they will start to pick up on Monday – although wind chill will mean it will still feel below freezing. A warning for ice has been issued.
Met Office forecast
The chief forecaster’s warning is: “Snow accumulations will be variable across the area as showers are expected to organise into bands. Whilst some areas will receive relatively small amounts of snow, narrow bands of 5-10 cm of snow are likely.
“Strong easterly winds will result in some drifting of lying snow, and lead to a significant wind chill.
“Showers are expected to become more isolated through Sunday morning.”
Beast will be back?
Some amateur forecasters are hinting that the Beast could return in time for Easter – although these are tentative predictions, they were right about the Beast’s first two appearances this year.
We will keep you posted.
Travel advice issued after Met Office warnings
Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service (RBFRS) has provided travel advice, after the Met Office issued Yellow and Amber weather warnings for Berkshire.
Areas in the South East of Berkshire will be worst affected during Saturday and Sunday (17 and 18 March), with low temperatures and snow and icy conditions expected to persist.
If you are planning to travel this weekend, please take extra care as conditions may become difficult, particularly on the roads.
Please follow these tips before making your journey:
- Check local TV, radio and internet for weather and traffic reports before travelling. The Met Office is providing regular updates on their website.
- Make sure your mobile phone is fully charged, but DO NOT use it if driving.
- Pack plenty of warm clothing and drinks in your vehicle, including hot drinks in a flask, if possible.
If you’re planning on driving:
Before you travel:
- Prepare a winter kit to take with you. There are some essential items that can help you if you get stuck in cold and wintry weather. This should include warm clothes and blankets, food and drink, and other essential items, such as jump leads should you get a flat battery and a shovel. You should also have a high visibility jacket and warning triangles, in case you do break down to warn other motorists. For a full list, please see the Met Office travel advice.
- Make sure your tyres are inflated to the correct pressure and in good working order.
- Make sure your brakes are in good order and checked regularly.
- Make sure the heater and demisting system in the vehicle is in good working order.
- It is useful to have a red reflective warning triangle in the vehicle in the event of a breakdown.
- Make sure your car is fuelled and that oil, brake fluid and windscreen washer levels are full.
During your journey:
- Be aware that high winds can affect the handling of your vehicle and sudden gusts can happen without warning – keep a good grip on the steering wheel and avoid overtaking high-sided vehicles.
- Allow more time for braking in snow and icy conditions.
- Allow more room between yourself and other vehicles – this will give you greater braking times and distances.
- Driving in adverse weather conditions can be stressful and tiring – if you feel tired, take a break.
- During this time of adverse weather, please be mindful of those in your community that may not be coping, check in on elderly or vulnerable relatives, friends and neighbours and be on the look-out for signs that something might be wrong.
For more information, visit www.rbfrs.co.uk
