Most severe weather events occur within the colder half of the year (October to March), when Atlantic storm systems are at their most frequent and strongest, capable of delivering disruptive rain and wind, depending upon their track. Disruption of the prevailing Atlantic weather patterns during winter can sometimes be the cue for cold air outbreaks from the north or east resulting in extreme cold weather. Occasionally in severe winter these interludes can prove very persistent.
The warmer half of the year sees the threat from severe weather shift more towards that from surface water flooding resulting from intense thunderstorms. High temperatures and heatwaves can also cause significant disruption to health and transport.
As climate change proceeds, so we are likely to see an increasing threat from extreme weather events, be it disruptive rainfall/wind/snow/ice during the winter, or an extended period of hot weather and/or increased frequency of intense rainfall events in the summer.
The position of Cheshire, downwind from the Welsh mountains, provides it with a measure of shelter from excessive winter rainfall. However, it is as much at risk as anywhere within the Northwest of England to surface water flooding, particularly of the summer storm variety.
Despite its relatively low altitude, its exposure to winds from between west and northwest means that it can on occasion receive the full force of severe winter gales such as those which affected much of central and northern England on 18th January 2007. When combined with high astronomical tides this can result in significant coastal flooding. The high ground of the south Pennines in the eastern end of the county is often affected by disruptive snowfall during colder spells in winter.
In July 2022 the highest ever temperature was recorded in the UK, at 40.3 degrees Celsius. In Nantwich, Cheshire the highest regional record for maximum temperature was reached at 38.4 degrees Celsius (34.6 previously)
We have pre-prepared plans for dealing with all forms of severe weather. Some are site-specific such as the strong wind plan developed with Highways England for the Thelwall Viaduct stretch of the M6.
All emergency responders across the county receive severe weather warnings and extreme temperature alerts from the Met Office, along with the very latest expert weather guidance from the Met Office’s advisor based in the Northwest.
We will call multi-agency teleconferences, chaired by the Police, to plan our joint response to particularly severe weather events.
Highways departments receive detailed forecasts of snow, ice and frost throughout the winter season to help coordinate its gritting program and help keep the county’s traffic moving.
The predicted impacts could include:
Widespread travel disruption (road, rail, air, sea)
Numerous trees brought down with associated risk to vehicles/ pedestrians
Power outages resulting from damage to infrastructure
Structural damage to buildings and property
Danger to life from windborne objects
Widespread travel disruption (road, rail and air) with higher level routes particularly affected
Potentially stranded passengers on transport routes
Dangerous driving conditions
Communities cut off due to flooded access routes/heavy snow
Strain on emergency responder organisations
Risk to life
Casualties/injury (slips and falls)
Risk of remote/high lying rural communities being cut off for days
Power outages
Increase in hospital admissions due to slips/falls on frozen surfaces.
Closure of schools
Difficulty maintaining essential services
Health impacts on the elderly and vulnerable with extreme temperatures
Disruption to utilities (such as water supplies)
Damage to property, businesses and agricultural land
Flooding of properties
Risk to life of livestock
Changes to working practices and daily routines to adapt to the conditions
Risk to life
Health impacts on the elderly and vulnerable with extreme temperatures
Disruption to utilities (such as water supplies)
Damage to property, businesses and agricultural land due to wildfires
Risk to life of livestock
Risk of water safety incidents with people visiting rivers/lakes
Changes to working practices and daily routines to adapt to the conditions
Increase in hospital admissions for heat related causes including exhaustion, dehydration, sunstroke,
Disruption to transport because of high temperatures on rails, tarmac
Check that you have the necessary equipment: stock up on anything you may need and before going out be sure to include it in your bags/boot. (suncream, de-icer, blanket, sunhat).
Check the forecast to understand the likelihood of any impactful weather in your area. Access the Met Office weather warning guidance and Met Office National Severe Weather Warning System (NSWWS) alternatively download the Met Office App
Apply for registration on the Priority Services Register here if you need that extra bit of support. The register is free to join, It helps utility companies, including , electricity, gas and water networks to look after customers who have extra communication, access or safety needs in the unlikely event of a power cut, gas or water supply interruption.
Plan around the forecast: e.g avoid the hottest part of the day, travel when winds are lighter or in cold weather that snow is not expected to be disruptive to travel
Check your vehicle is ready for the summer and winter. The Met Office vehicle check can help with this
Look out for public health guidance related to cold weather events via: UKHSA cold weather and health guidance
Look after your home: check daytime room temperature and maintain it at 18 degrees Celsius. Insulate pipes to stop them from freezing. Know how to switch off your water supply if pipes should burst.
Plan ahead before going away: If you are going to be away from home for a few days, it’s best to turn off your water at the stop tap so that if a pipe does freeze or burst while you’re away, any damage will be limited
Make sure your heating comes on at regular intervals, even if you’re out, to maintain some warmth around your property. If you are going away during winter and leaving your house or flat unoccupied then leave the heating on ‘low’ to stop freezing pipes, ask a friend or neighbour to check in occasionally for any issues such as a burst pipe, especially in bad weather.
Look out for public health guidance related to hot weather events via: UKHSA hot weather and health guidance
Try to reduce and reuse water where possible both at home and at work
In hot weather if you are thinking of having a barbeque, ensure you have a bucket of water or hosepipe nearby. Sparks from the barbeque may fall or be blown onto wood or dry grass and cause a fire extremely quickly.
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