Residents in Kirkby, Merseyside, are being told to prepare for a rapid weather change as heavy rain is expected to be followed by much colder conditions later this week. The Met Office forecast for Kirkby warns that persistent downpours on Wednesday, 11 February 2026, will be followed by a cold snap that could bring ice and frost (Met Office local forecast).
The heavy rain is expected to cause wet roads and longer journey times on major routes such as the M57 and the A580 (East Lancashire Road). Local forecasters put the risk of localized flooding and travel disruption at about 70%, which could lead to longer travel times while the rain remains at its heaviest.
From Thursday, 12 February 2026, colder air pushing down from the north is forecast to arrive, causing temperatures to drop and creating a risk of ice on untreated paths and roads. The change could bring hill snow to higher ground around the North West and may affect parents on the school run and commuters.
Knowsley Council says its winter service will treat priority/primary routes across the borough when freezing conditions occur; the council operates a winter gritting programme for primary and strategic routes, major bus routes and known trouble spots. Residents should allow extra time for journeys and de-icing on Saturday morning, 14 February, when a hard frost is expected.
People using public transport are advised to check for updates before travelling. National Rail Enquiries and local operator Merseyrail note that heavy rain, flooding and sudden freezes can disrupt services on local lines, including the Kirkby route; passengers should check service-status pages and journey planners for the latest information.
About this article: This story was put together with the help of AI tools and checked by a real person on our team. We're a small crew trying to cover as much of the UK as we can on a limited budget. We're getting better every day - but we're not perfect yet. If something looks off, let us know. You're part of the process.
