SNOW END IN SIGHT
Snow chaos to last ALL WEEK as Met Office warns of dangerous ice on roads, travel carnage and power cuts
Tuesday saw widespread disruption across the UK, with more than 200 school closures reported
BRITS across the UK face further travel disruptions and power cuts as the Met Office forceast snow and rain to continue throughout the week.
The Met Office has issued more yellow weather warnings or snow and ice tomorrow and into the weekend, affecting much of Scotland, the northwest and east of England, the East Midlands, Wales and the southwest.
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As arctic conditions persist across the UK, Brits can expect a mix of snow, sleet, and rain tomorrow, particularly in the southwest, potentially leading to disruptions.
Met Office Chief Meteorologist Matthew Lehnert stated that 2-5cm of snow "is possible in places at lower levels," while higher areas of Dartmoor could see up to 10cm.
Friday will offer a brief respite for many across the country, though snow showers are expected along northern coastal areas.
The Met Office has issued further yellow warnings for the weekend, with disruption expected due to rain and snow.
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Mike Silverstone, Met Office Deputy Chief Meteorologist, revealed that much of northern England and Scotland will experience "substantial snowfall" on Saturday.
A shift to milder air is expected, but it will bring heavy rain and strong winds, continuing into Sunday.
Mike added: "Rain on Saturday and into Sunday is likely to be impactful for some, which has resulted in warnings being issued for Wales and parts of the southwest.
"Widely, 50-75 mm is expected within the warning areas, but in excess of 150 mm of rain is possible over high ground in south Wales.
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"Strong winds are likely to exacerbate impacts and bring the potential for travel disruption as well as flooding for some.”
The Met Office has also advised that vehicles could be stranded, power cuts may occur and rural areas could be cut off.
Driving conditions on roads in northeast Wales were labelled “horrendous” and some drivers were stranded for hours on Tuesday.
The "arctic chill" has caused widespread disruption across the UK, with more than 200 school closures reported.
Snowfall was widely reported, with 12cm of lying snow recorded at Watnall, Nottinghamshire, on Tuesday morning as an Arctic airmass influenced the UK's weather.
Braemar in Aberdeenshire, Scotland, recorded sub-zero with the mercury falling to arctic temperatures of -11.2C, according to the Met Office.
Yesterday, the forecaster warned of snow showers developing during the evening and continuing overnight into Wednesday morning.
Showers may be heavy at times and accompanied by lightning in some areas, said the Met Office.
Some lying snow could reach up to 10cm or more over higher ground and ice is expected to form on untreated surfaces.
Scotland braced for even MORE Met Office winter warnings as snow, ice & bitter freeze to continue for DAYS
Southern Rail said overrunning engineering works at South Croydon will affect early morning trains between East Croydon and Uckfield/East Grinstead.
Met Office spokesman Stephen Dixon previously told the PA news agency: "We've had a fairly mild November so far.
"So it'll feel like that first taste of winter for many with that snow and ice risk layered on top."
He added: "The highest accumulations are likely over the mountains in Scotland, where over higher ground you could see around 20cm of snow through this week accumulating on the ground.
"They are not necessarily the most disruptive snowfalls, but it only takes a couple of centimetres on lower ground to cause some level of travel disruption."
Thousands of train passengers suffered disruption on Tuesday morning and a Stagecoach bus in Aberdeenshire toppled onto its side with a passenger on board in icy conditions.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has issued the first amber cold weather health alert of the season, warning conditions could be dangerous for vulnerable people, including the elderly.
The amber warning covers the east and north of England, the Midlands, and Yorkshire and the Humber, with yellow alerts coming into place for the South East, South West and until Sunday.
On the forecast for the coming days for the UK, the Met Office said: "Rain, snow and ice are potential hazards through this week, with weather warnings issued and potential ongoing disruption for some."
Met Office chief meteorologist Neil Armstrong said: "With cold Arctic air firmly in place over the UK, continued winter hazards are likely through much of this week, with further updates to warnings likely in the coming days."
Areas affected in the Met Office's weather warnings
Thursday
- Northern Scotland - until 12pm tomorrow
- Northern Ireland - until 12pm tomorrow
- North East England - until 12pm tomorrow
- North West England - until 12pm tomorrow
- East Midlands - until 12pm tomorrow
- South West England - until 12pm tomorrow
- Wales - until 12pm tomorrow
- West Midlands - until 12pm tomorrow
Saturday
- East Midlands - until Sunday 9am
- North East England - until Sunday 9am
- North West England - until Sunday 9am
- West Midlands - until Sunday 9am
- Wales - until Sunday 9am
- Scotland - until Sunday 9am
Police in Northern Ireland urged those on the roads to "drive with extra caution while we experience the freezing temperatures as forecast".
The Met Office said cold northerly winds will continue through the week across much of the UK, with further warnings likely.
Meteorologist Clare Nasir said that "more snow showers will be seen towards the western part of Scotland".
And "rain and sleet" will likely be present across the coastline.
Friday's weather could see "wintry showers" in some areas of the UK, said forecasters.
The Met Office added that temperatures were likely to increase from the south-west this weekend, though this will be accompanied by some strong winds and heavy rain.
Meanwhile, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has issued its first amber cold weather health alert of the season.
Along with the charity Age UK, it warned that the conditions could be dangerous for vulnerable people, including the elderly.
Dr Agostinho Sousa, from the UKHSA, said: “This is the first amber Cold Weather Health Alert of the season, but we can expect more as we approach winter, and it is vital to check in on vulnerable friends, family and neighbours to ensure they are well prepared for the onset of cold weather."
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The Alzheimer’s Society warned that cold weather can be “particularly challenging” for people with dementia.
“Colder temperatures can be difficult for a person with dementia to adjust to, and they may not always be able to communicate that they are cold - or they may not even recognise it themselves,” the charity said.
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Can you get time off work if your child's school is closed due to snow?
TEMPERATURES have dropped, causing concerns about childcare if schools close.
Senior Consumer Reporter Olivia Marshall explains your rights.
Wintry weather may lead to school closures due to insufficient staff, unsafe sites, or travel difficulties.
Parents can take reasonable time off work to care for children, known as "dependant leave," without facing disciplinary action.
Additionally, parents with children under 18 can take "parental leave" after a year of employment, up to 18 weeks before the child turns 18, though it may be limited to four weeks per year.
Generally, this leave is unpaid unless stated in your contract, but you can negotiate taking paid holiday.
For those without children, there's no automatic right to paid leave due to snow, but flexible employers might allow work from home or use of holiday allowance.
If your workplace closes, you can't usually have pay deducted.
For more information, visit the Citizens Advice website.
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