UK weather maps flash orange as rare weather event predicted alongside snow

The rare weather event could occur in Manchester and Newcastle (Image: Getty/WXCharts.com)

New weather data predicts that a rare weather phenomenon could hit two major cities this weekend as the UK experiences mixed weather.

Weather maps from WXCharts.com show that Manchester and Newcastle could be hit by freezing rain as other areas of the country experience snow and rain.

The rare weather event could take place in the early hours of Saturday morning as weather maps turn orange for several hours.

The Met Office said: “Freezing rain is a rare type of liquid precipitation that strikes a cold surface, and freezes almost instantly.

“The conditions needed for freezing rain are quite specific and we don’t see this phenomenon very often in the UK. It can produce striking effects, as the rain drop spreads out momentarily across the surface before it freezes, encasing the surface in a layer of clear ice.

The weather event will first hit Newcastle at midnight (Image: WXcharts.com)

“However, it is not just these eye-catching scenes which the freezing rain can bring; the weight of the ice can sometimes be heavy enough to bring down trees and power lines, and the glaze of ice on the ground effectively turns roads and pathways into an ice rink. The freezing rain can also prove extremely hazardous for aircraft.”

Freezing rain could be seen in Newcastle at midnight on Saturday before occurring in Manchester at around 3am, meaning that road conditions could be hazardous throughout Saturday morning.

The weather event comes as WXCharts.com predicts that Scotland, the east coast of England and parts of Wales will see outbreaks of snow this weekend.

Elsewhere there will be showers across the country early on Saturday before clearing in the afternoon.

Temperatures across Britain will struggle to rise above zero for much of Saturday morning before becoming more settled in the afternoon.

Manchester could also see freezing rain in the early hours of Saturday morning (Image: WXCharts.com)

Saturday morning is set to be cold as parts of the country see snow (Image: WXCharts.com)

The Met Office has also predicted that there could be outbreaks of snow.

Its forecast said: “Mostly dry, often cloudy and cold in the east and northeast. Weakening bands of rain and perhaps snow moving in from the west and southwest, where turning milder. Often breezy.”

On the weather that will follow next week it added: “Southeasterly winds are likely at the start of this period, with below average temperatures and often cloudy conditions.

“There are likely to be further wintry showers, especially in northeastern areas. Meanwhile, frontal zones, bringing milder conditions and rain, will attempt to move in from the west or southwest.

“If, or when, they push further northeastwards the chance of some snow or freezing rain increases.”