Brits are set to be battered by heavy snow and freezing rain over the weekend with the Met Office issuing two amber warnings.
Stranded vehicles on the roads, delayed or cancelled rail and air travel and power cuts are all likely as the UK grapples with a week-long spell of wintry conditions, said the national weather agency.
There is also a “good chance” that rural communities could be cut off due to the conditions, with up to 30cm of snowfall expected locally. Temperatures are believed to have fallen to -10C overnight into Saturday in parts of Scotland.
An amber warning for snow and freezing rain covering most of Wales and central England, including the Midlands and the north-west cities of Liverpool and Manchester, is in place from 6pm on Saturday to midday on Sunday, the Met Office said. The second warning for snow, covering most of northern England including Leeds, Sheffield and the Lake District, has been issued from 9pm on Saturday to midnight on Sunday.
Both of the warning areas can expect to see 3cm to 7cm of snowfall widely, while flurries may mix with rain at times in lower-lying areas, the forecaster said. Three separate yellow weather warnings for snow and ice are already in place for most areas of the UK, covering different periods of time from Friday to Monday afternoon.
UK Health Security Agency cold weather health alerts for all of England remain in place ahead of a week of low temperatures. Amber alerts were issued on Thursday and will run until January 8, meaning a rise in deaths is likely, the agency said.
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05:07Phoebe Tonks
UK health agency warns of impacts of cold weather
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has issued two cold weather health alerts for all of England ahead of a week of low temperatures.
Amber alerts were initially issued on Thursday and will run until January 8, meaning a rise in deaths is likely, the agency said.Dr Agostinho Sousa, head of extreme events and health protection at UKHSA, said: “The forecasted temperatures 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 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.”
05:05Phoebe Tonks
Rural communities under threat as snowfall may ‘cut them off’
As large parts of the country wake this morning to cripplingly low temperatures, many corners of the UK will face disruption from heavy snow and freezing rain over the next two days – with weather experts already have issued two amber weather warnings.
With significant snow expected and treacherous road conditions from ice, there is also a “good chance” that many rural communities may be cut off due to conditions, with some areas seeing up to 30cm of snow.
“There is a risk of freezing rain across parts of the Midlands and northern England, but especially Wales, adding to the risk of ice and leading to some treacherous conditions in places,” Met Office chief forecaster Jason Kelly said.
22:39Tim Hanlon
Weather affects sporting fixtures this weekend
Warnings of snow and ice has led to many sporting fixures being cancelled this weekend.
Some football games have already been called off this weekend, including Cheltenham’s clash with League Two leaders Walsall which was due to take place on Saturday.
Halifax’s National League home game against Fylde which was also set for Saturday has been cancelled, while Friday night’s Scottish Championship game between Airdrie and leaders Falkirk was also postponed.
Meanwhile, Saturday’s race meeting at Newcastle has been abandoned because the course is frozen.
21:11Tim Hanlon
Wes Streeting urges Brits to ‘layer up and put heating on’
Health Secretary Wes Streeting said it is “a weekend to layer up and put the heating on” due to the bitterly cold conditions.
He told BBC Breakfast: “We are heading into a cold snap this weekend and I know there are lots of concerns, not just amongst charity leaders, but also among NHS and social care leaders as well, about the particular risks and vulnerabilities this weekend as temperatures drop, both in terms of risk of accident and injury, but also risk from the cold itself.
“This is a weekend to wrap up and keep warm, to take sensible precautions about going out and about.”
National Highways advised those planning to travel over the weekend to check their vehicles, keep their distance on the roads and pack a “snow kit” of blankets, food, water and a shovel.
21:08Tim Hanlon
‘Significant accumulations’ of snow expected, says Met Office forecaster
Met Office chief forecaster Jason Kelly said some “significant accumulations” of snow are possible in parts of Wales, the Midlands and northern England.
People can also expect to see the drifting of lying snow due to strengthening winds as a low pressure system moves in from the Atlantic. And the freezing rain is “extremely dangerous” said Mr Kelly.
He continued: “There is a risk of freezing rain across parts of the Midlands and northern England, but especially Wales, adding to the risk of ice and leading to some treacherous conditions in places.
“As the super-cooled rain droplets hit the surface they instantly freeze, covering everything in a layer of ice, making it extremely dangerous.”
A frozen roadside image in Derbyshire (Image:Tom Maddick / SWNS)