UK weather: warnings remain in force across country as temperatures to fall as low as -20C | UK weather
Opening summary
Weather warnings remain in force across the UK as Britons are braced for temperatures to plummet as low as -20C.
Snow, ice and fog yellow weather warnings are in force across the UK on Thursday, after snow and sleet caused disruption on Wednesday.
The BBC’s weather forecaster, MeteoGroup, is predicting Thursday night to reach -20C in remote parts of northern England and Scotland, while the Met Office is forecasting –16C.
Overnight on Wednesday, temperatures fell to as low as -12C at Tulloch Bridge in Scotland, while it was below freezing across much of England and Wales.
Travel disruption to road and rail services are likely on Thursday in the warning areas, as well as the potential for accidents in icy places, the forecaster said.
A yellow warning for snow and ice is in place for northern Scotland until midnight on Thursday and another snow and ice warning is in force for Northern Ireland until 11am on Thursday as sleet and snow showers are set to continue.
A yellow fog warning is in place for Northern Ireland until 9am on Thursday.
A further yellow warning for snow and ice affecting Cornwall, much of Wales and parts of north-west England has been issued until 11am on Thursday. A yellow ice warning has been issued for parts of southern England and south-east Wales until 10.30am on Thursday.
Here are some of the latest updates related to the UK’s freezing weather:
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As icy conditions persist, motorists are being urged to stick to major roads that are most likely to have been gritted. Car insurer RAC said it has seen the highest levels of demand for rescues in a three-day period since December 2022.
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Oli Claydon, spokesperson for the Met Office, told the PA news agency it will be “bitterly cold” on Thursday night. He said the lowest temperatures will be recorded in rural Scotland and rural northern England where there is lying snow, cloudless skies and very cold airflow.
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The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has extended its cold weather health alert for all of England until Sunday. Amber alerts have been extended and will now run until 12 January, meaning a rise in deaths is likely, the agency said.
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The country has been hit by widespread flooding in recent days and a danger to life flood warning was issued for Barrow upon Soar in Leicestershire as firefighters had to rescue dozens of people stranded in rising water. Scores of flood warnings and alerts remain in place for England, but hundreds have been removed and the weather is set to be drier over the next few days.
Key events
On Wednesday, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) extended its cold weather health alert for all of England until Sunday. Amber alerts have been extended and will now run until 12 January, meaning a rise in deaths is likely, the agency said.
Dr Agostinho Sousa, head of extreme events and health protection at the UKHSA, said:
We are extending the duration of our cold health alert, since the Met Office are forecasting that the low temperatures we are seeing will continue further into this week, with snow and icy conditions likely to persist.
This weather can have a serious impact on the health of some people, including those aged 65 and over and those with pre-existing health conditions, and it is therefore vital that we continue to check in on friends, family and neighbours that are most vulnerable.
These people could be more at risk of heart attacks, stroke and chest infections as a result of cold temperatures.”
Opening summary
Weather warnings remain in force across the UK as Britons are braced for temperatures to plummet as low as -20C.
Snow, ice and fog yellow weather warnings are in force across the UK on Thursday, after snow and sleet caused disruption on Wednesday.
The BBC’s weather forecaster, MeteoGroup, is predicting Thursday night to reach -20C in remote parts of northern England and Scotland, while the Met Office is forecasting –16C.
Overnight on Wednesday, temperatures fell to as low as -12C at Tulloch Bridge in Scotland, while it was below freezing across much of England and Wales.
Travel disruption to road and rail services are likely on Thursday in the warning areas, as well as the potential for accidents in icy places, the forecaster said.
A yellow warning for snow and ice is in place for northern Scotland until midnight on Thursday and another snow and ice warning is in force for Northern Ireland until 11am on Thursday as sleet and snow showers are set to continue.
A yellow fog warning is in place for Northern Ireland until 9am on Thursday.
A further yellow warning for snow and ice affecting Cornwall, much of Wales and parts of north-west England has been issued until 11am on Thursday. A yellow ice warning has been issued for parts of southern England and south-east Wales until 10.30am on Thursday.
Here are some of the latest updates related to the UK’s freezing weather:
-
As icy conditions persist, motorists are being urged to stick to major roads that are most likely to have been gritted. Car insurer RAC said it has seen the highest levels of demand for rescues in a three-day period since December 2022.
-
Oli Claydon, spokesperson for the Met Office, told the PA news agency it will be “bitterly cold” on Thursday night. He said the lowest temperatures will be recorded in rural Scotland and rural northern England where there is lying snow, cloudless skies and very cold airflow.
-
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has extended its cold weather health alert for all of England until Sunday. Amber alerts have been extended and will now run until 12 January, meaning a rise in deaths is likely, the agency said.
-
The country has been hit by widespread flooding in recent days and a danger to life flood warning was issued for Barrow upon Soar in Leicestershire as firefighters had to rescue dozens of people stranded in rising water. Scores of flood warnings and alerts remain in place for England, but hundreds have been removed and the weather is set to be drier over the next few days.
