New snow warnings have been issued across the UK, on top of two amber alerts, as a cold blast is set to sweep the country over the weekend, bringing sub-zero temperatures, health risks and disruption.
Most of the Midlands, Wales, and parts of northern England will be covered by an amber warning for snow and ice from 6pm on Saturday until 12pm on Sunday.
Another amber snow warning will then be in place across northern England and parts of the Midlands from 9pm on Saturday until close of Sunday.
Up to 40cm of snow is expected in the worst affected areas, while much of the warning area can expect 3cm to 7cm, the Met Office predicts.
Seven yellow weather warnings for snow, ice or rain have also been issued across the UK over the weekend and into Monday.
The forecaster confirmed temperatures reached a low of -8.6C in Aboyne in Aberdeenshire overnight.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has issued a Cold-Health Alert (CHA), warning of an “increase in risk to health”.
The Met Office warned of likely disruption caused by the weather, including stranded vehicles on the roads, delayed or cancelled rail and air travel, power cuts, and rural communities getting cut off.
RSPCA warns householders that salt and antifreeze kill pets
Amber severe weather warnings for ice and snow have been issued for parts of England and Wales amid a cold snap gripping the country.
Most of the Midlands, Wales, and parts of northern England will be covered by an amber warning for snow and ice from 6pm on Saturday until noon on Sunday.
My colleague Jane Dalton reports:
Tara Cobham4 January 2025 15:31
Horse racing at Sandown Park in Surrey ‘abandoned due to frozen ground’
Horse racing at Sandown Park in Surrey was abandoned on Saturday, with the racecourse saying the weather meant there “would not be sufficient time for the ground to become raceable”.
In a statement posted on social media, the racecourse added: “Following this morning’s inspection, sadly racing today has been abandoned due to frozen ground.”
Tara Cobham4 January 2025 15:10
Met Office forecasts cold conditions across UK this afternoon including snow
The Met Office has forecast cold conditions across the UK this afternoon, including the arrival of snow in some parts.
In a post on X, the weather service said: “Most places dry and cold this afternoon, with freezing fog patches persisting across Northern Ireland.
“Wintry showers in the north and west, most frequent in the far north.
“Thicker cloud with rain, sleet and snow arriving into southwest England and Wales.”
Tara Cobham4 January 2025 14:50
Further weather warnings could be issued for start of next week
Further weather warnings could be issued for the start of next week as the plummeting temperatures are expected to continue.
Milder air will briefly cover some southern areas during the weekend before a new northerly flow allows colder conditions to return across the UK next week, the Met Office said.
Deputy chief forecaster Dan Holley said temperatures would remain below average with some areas struggling to get above freezing for several days.
Tara Cobham4 January 2025 14:30
Sporting fixtures called off due to bad weather
Some football games have been called off, while Saturday’s race meeting at Newcastle has been abandoned because the course is frozen.
The cancelled football matches include 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, while Friday night’s Scottish Championship game between Airdrie and leaders Falkirk did not take place.
Tara Cobham4 January 2025 14:10
Councils across London and southern England activate emergency measures
Councils across London and southern England have activated emergency measures.
This includes additional accommodation to help rough sleepers stay safe during the cold snap.
Tara Cobham4 January 2025 13:50
Emergency team meeting as Ireland braces for ‘multi-hazard weather event’
The government’s Emergency Planning Team is holding a meeting as Ireland braces for a “multi-hazard weather event”, which is due to hit the country later on Saturday.
Snow, ice, heavy rain and sleet are to sweep over the island of Ireland as temperatures continue to plummet.
A series of weather warnings will come into effect, with status orange snow and ice warnings issued for Carlow, Kilkenny, Laois, Offaly, Wicklow, Clare, Limerick and Tipperary.
Read the full story here:
Tara Cobham4 January 2025 13:31
Cold weather alerts remain in place across England meaning likely rise in deaths
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 8 January, meaning a rise in deaths is likely, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) said.
Tara Cobham4 January 2025 13:30
Risk of rare freezing rain leading to ‘treacherous and extremely dangerous’ conditions
The Met Office has warned of a risk of rare freezing rain leading to “treacherous” and “extremely dangerous” conditions in places.
The weather service’s chief forecaster Jason Kelly: “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.”
He predicted some “significant accumulations” of snow are possible in parts of Wales, the Midlands and northern England, and the additional factor of strengthening winds could lead to drifting of lying snow.
Tara Cobham4 January 2025 13:10
Drivers urged to take care as snow and ice hit UK
National Highways has warned a “spell of disruptive snow” would spread across southern and central parts of the road network on Saturday night.
Drivers in high-altitude areas, particularly the Cotswolds and Peak District, were warned to take particular care. Gwent Police issued a warning for black ice on Friday.
Road users in England’s north were warned up to 25cm of snow could hit parts of the network including the A66 Old Spittal, A628 Woodhead Pass and M62 at Windy Hill.
Tara Cobham4 January 2025 12:50
