Snow, ice, and plunging temperatures cause travel chaos, with health warnings issued for vulnerable groups.
The UK is currently grappling with a severe cold snap, prompting widespread weather warnings and health alerts. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has issued amber cold-health alerts for all of England, warning that the cold conditions could lead to increased deaths, especially among the elderly and those with pre-existing health issues. The alert is in place from Thursday afternoon until the following Wednesday.
Temperatures have plummeted across the country, with overnight lows reaching -8C in Benson, Oxfordshire, and -7.4C in Shap, Cumbria. Areas like Cheshire and Somerset saw temperatures drop to -5C, while the Scottish region of Dumfries and Galloway also recorded freezing conditions. The Met Office predicts widespread frost, with parts of Scotland experiencing temperatures as low as -8C.
Two amber warnings for snow and ice have been issued, covering large areas of Wales, central England, and northern England. The snow is expected to bring up to 30cm of accumulation in some areas, while other regions may see 3-7cm. Freezing rain is also a concern, potentially leading to hazardous travel conditions. The snow warnings are set to remain in effect until Sunday afternoon, and further snowfall is expected in parts of Scotland on Sunday night into Monday.
Dr Agostinho Sousa, head of extreme events and health protection at UKHSA, urged people, particularly the elderly and those with health conditions, to take precautions during the cold snap. He advised people to check on friends, family, and neighbours, as the extreme weather could increase the risk of heart attacks, strokes, and respiratory infections.
Temperatures are expected to rise slightly by the end of this weekend before plunging again next week, particularly on Monday and Tuesday. However, the cold spell should begin to ease toward the end of the week.
The freezing conditions have already caused significant disruptions to transport. National Rail has confirmed delays and cancellations on various routes across England, Scotland, and Wales. For example, the line between Inverness and Dingwall will remain closed until at least Saturday morning due to multiple landslips and flooding. Other rail routes, including those between Manchester and Sheffield, are being diverted due to flooding.
The NHS has also warned the public to avoid venturing out in the early morning or late evening when frost is thickest and travel conditions are more hazardous. Emergency services in London have activated additional shelter provisions for rough sleepers, while NHS trusts in Herefordshire and the Black Country have advised people to ensure they have enough food and medications to ride out the cold.
Meanwhile, the Met Office has issued several additional weather warnings for snow and icy conditions, which are expected to worsen over the weekend. Some areas of the Midlands, Wales, and northern England could experience up to 5cm of snow, with higher ground receiving up to 30cm. Snow drifts and freezing rain are expected to worsen conditions, leading to further disruptions to travel.
The cold weather comes in the wake of heavy rain, which has caused flooding in Greater Manchester, forcing evacuations and leading to road closures and train line suspensions.
