Storm Chandra: Met Office Names New Storm as 27 Areas Brace For 20cm of Snow

Britain is bracing for a battering as Storm Chandra prepares to sweep across the country within hours, bringing a treacherous mix of heavy rain, strong winds and deep snow that could disrupt transport networks and leave communities isolated. The Met Office has issued a 17-hour yellow weather warning covering large areas of Scotland and northern England, with the first rain expected from midnight on Jan. 27. The warning will remain in place until 5 p.m. on Tuesday, with forecasters predicting the most severe conditions in the morning.

The named storm will bring a sharp north-south divide in its impact, with the highest ground bearing the brunt of wintry conditions. Rainfall of between 20 and 30 millimetres is expected fairly widely across affected regions, with some exposed areas potentially receiving 40 to 50 millimetres. Particularly vulnerable regions such as the southern Pennines and southwest Scotland could experience especially rapid accumulations of 20 millimetres within just three hours.

Snow Warnings for Storm Chandra: Where the Deepest Falls Are Expected

The most dramatic weather impact will unfold at altitude, where significant snow accumulations are forecast to develop with frightening speed. The Met Office spokesperson explained: 'Outbreaks of rain will spread northwards on Monday night into Tuesday, falling as snow on high ground. Rainfall accumulations of 20-30mm are likely fairly widely with 40-50mm possible in places.'

'Whilst accumulating snow is unlikely at low-levels, there will be a sharp increase in snow depths with elevation, with the potential for 2-5cm in places above about 300m, 5-10cm above 400m, and 10-20cm above 500m,' the forecaster warned.

The drifting potential posed by rather brisk southeasterly winds adds another layer of complexity to an already dangerous situation. Strong, gusty winds, especially to the west of hills, may exacerbate the potential for transport disruption, leaving communities cut off.

The 27 areas covered by the Met Office's rain and wind warning span the length of Britain's upland spine, from the Peak District through the Pennines to the Southern Uplands. East Midlands regions including Derbyshire are affected, along with North East England encompassing Durham and Northumberland. North West England faces significant disruption, with Cheshire East, Cumbria, Greater Manchester and Lancashire all bracing for impact.

Scotland bears the heaviest burden, with southwest Scotland regions including Dumfries and Galloway, East Lothian, Edinburgh, Midlothian, Scottish Borders and West Lothian all under warning. Strathclyde districts including East Ayrshire, South Ayrshire and South Lanarkshire are threatened, while Yorkshire and Humber counties of North Yorkshire, South Yorkshire and West Yorkshire must also prepare for severe disruption.

Additional Amber Warnings: Northern Ireland and Southwest England Face the Worst Conditions

Beyond the yellow warnings, more severe amber alerts have been issued for regions facing the most dangerous conditions. Eastern parts of Northern Ireland face an amber wind warning from 5am until 9 p.m. on Tuesday, with strong winds forecast to cause significant disruption to transport and infrastructure. Southwest England is also under amber alert for heavy rain from 5 p.m. Monday until 9 a.m. Tuesday.

The Met Office spokesperson detailed the southwest England scenario: 'Storm Chandra will bring persistent rain, heavy at times, later Monday and overnight before steadily clearing northeastwards on Tuesday morning.30-50mm rainfall is likely widely, with 60-80mm across some higher ground, especially south Dartmoor.' A 12-hour yellow rain warning covering the East of England as well as London and South East England will commence at midnight and remain in place until 12 p.m. on Tuesday.