Snow and ice expected as UK braces for ‘first taste of winter’
More snow and ice is forecast across parts of the UK in the coming days, in what the Met Office has said will be the country’s “first taste of winter”.
Temperatures will be much lower than the mid-November average by day – and are expected to reach below freezing by night.
The early hours of Monday saw the coldest temperatures since last winter, with minus 7.8C logged in Tulloch Bridge, Scotland. Snow was already falling across northern Scotland.
The Met Office has issued three yellow warnings for snow and ice across northern Scotland, northern England, Northern Ireland and parts of the Midlands.
Temperatures are predicted to drop to -2C in London on Friday, -4C in Birmingham and -7C further north.
“It is going to be quite a widely cold week,” Met Office spokesperson Nicola Maxey said. “A few degrees below average both day and night for most of the country.”
There is a possibility of up to 20cm (8in) of snow on the ground in areas higher than 300m (984ft) and 10cm (4in) in areas higher than 200m (656ft), the Met Office said.
There is also a “chance” that snow could hit lower levels and cause road disruption.
The Met Office said wintry conditions could coincide with rush hour on Tuesday, leading to disruption on some transport routes across central parts of the UK.
National Highways has issued an amber severe weather alert for snow in the North East and North West regions of the country from Monday at 19:00 until Tuesday at 10:00.
Darren Clark, National Highways Severe Weather Resilience Manager, advised drivers: “Keep your distance and reduce your speed, because even in conditions that seem normal, and where the snow is not settling, it can be slippery if ice patches have formed, or where fresh grit has not been worked into the carriageway.”
“Drivers should plan their journeys, monitor weather reports and pack a snow kit of blankets, food, water and a shovel.”
The UK health security agency (UKHSA) has said there is an increased risk to vulnerable people, warning the weather could impact the whole health service.
It has issued an amber cold weather health alert for the East Midlands, West Midlands, North East, North West and Yorkshire and the Humber.
“It is vital to check in on vulnerable friends, family and neighbours to ensure they are well prepared for the onset of cold weather. Particularly if they are elderly or otherwise at increased risk,” Dr Agostinho Sousa, Head of Extreme Events and Health Protection at UKHSA, said.
