Manchester United’s match against Liverpool on Sunday evening will need to contend with an amber weather warning. As temperatures are expected to fall below freezing throughout the UK, Merseyside may be blanketed in snow. The Met Office has issued an official warning of ‘snow and freezing rain [that] will probably cause disruptions to transportation and certain other services. Some parts of the country are expected to receive up to 40 centimeters of snow. A statement indicates that “snow will become steady and locally intense as it moves from south to north across the warning area,” and mentions that “in addition to snow, there is a chance of freezing rain, which could create dangerous travel conditions, before warmer air moves into all areas by Sunday morning.” Although there are some uncertainties, 3-7 centimeters of snow is predicted for most of the warning area, with local amounts of 15-30 centimeters possible in the higher regions of Wales and the southern Pennines. Freezing rain may cause ice buildup in certain areas, particularly in parts of Wales, before warmer air brings a quick melting of snow and ice in the southern region of the warning area by Sunday. Only a month after Liverpool’s Merseyside derby against Everton at Goodison Park was postponed because of Storm Darragh’s heavy rain and strong winds, the weather is drawing attention again. In the north-west, there’s a possibility of ice and snow starting at 8pm on Saturday night, potentially lasting until 8am on Sunday morning. Many games in the Football League and non-league were canceled, showing the potential issues that may arise. Sleet showers are expected to occur on Sunday morning starting at 11am. Additionally, fans have been encouraged to stay informed about the latest travel advice for safety and accessibility. This is particularly crucial for the visiting United supporters. The National Highways agency has indicated that the A628 Snake Pass connecting Sheffield and Manchester is expected to close at 10pm as a safety measure, which may impact some people traveling to the game from outside the city.
