Schools have been forced to close, and travel disruptions are widespread as an Arctic blast brings snow and ice to various parts of the UK. Over 100 schools in Scotland and dozens in Merseyside have shut their doors due to severe weather conditions.
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Severe Weather Causes School Closures and Travel Chaos
The UK experienced freezing temperatures overnight as biting winds blew in from the north. The Met Office issued yellow warnings for snow and ice covering Scotland, much of northern England, and north Wales throughout Tuesday. Additionally, a new warning for ice is in effect in Northern Ireland from 17:00 to 23:59 GMT.
Scotland is expected to bear the brunt of the weather, with up to 10 cm of snowfall on higher ground and additional snowfall in the Pennines. In other Scottish regions, there has been approximately 1-5 cm of snowfall reported.
Forecast and Impact on Transportation
Meteorologists predict that Wednesday may be the coldest night of the winter so far, with temperatures expected to drop to -5°C, potentially reaching lows of -10°C. Transport Scotland has been actively working to keep roads clear, with gritters deployed throughout the night. However, the severe weather conditions are causing disruptions across transportation networks.
Liverpool Council reported widespread impacts on the region, deploying staff to clear snow around essential facilities like schools, hospitals, and transport hubs. Residents expressed concerns about road conditions, prompting the council to reassure the public that major routes had been treated.
Road Closures and Warnings
In Belthorn, Lancashire, roads were closed following a crash, and police issued warnings about “very dangerous” driving conditions. National Highways issued a severe weather alert for the north-west of England, cautioning that freezing temperatures and snow would make roads hazardous throughout Tuesday.
Merseyside Police and Lancashire Police dealt with several incidents on the roads due to snow, emphasizing the need for caution. National Rail has also issued warnings about potential disruptions across the rail network throughout the week.
Health and Safety Concerns
The Met Office highlighted that temperatures this week are 5-6°C lower than usual for this time of year. In response, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) issued an amber cold weather warning for England, anticipating increased demand on the NHS, especially from older and vulnerable individuals.
Automatic £25 payments for heating assistance have been triggered in over 220 postcodes where temperatures are expected to remain below zero for a week. This financial aid applies to eligible households in some parts of Wales and northern and eastern England.
Future Weather Outlook
Looking ahead, the forecast suggests widespread frost on Wednesday, with temperatures potentially plummeting to as low as -10°C. The UK is currently experiencing one of the coldest spells this winter, with the lowest temperature recorded at -12.5°C in early December.
As the cold spell continues, the BBC Weather forecaster, Ben Rich, anticipates milder weather, accompanied by wind and rain, sweeping across the UK over the weekend, bringing an end to the cold spell.
Stay tuned for further updates as the situation develops, and individuals are advised to take necessary precautions and stay informed about the changing weather conditions.