SCHOOLS have closed and Brits are battling travel chaos with temperatures to fall to -8C and a further eight inches of snow to hit.
The Met Office has issued three yellow weather warnings for snow and ice across different areas of the UK.
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The weather alerts cover the Midlands, northern England, parts of Northern Ireland, north east Wales and sections of Northern Ireland.
Snow has already blanketed parts of the UK, with Brits waking up to a heavy dusting in parts of Wales, Liverpool and Derbyshire.
London has also been hit by flurries of snow during rush hour.
A number of schools in England and Wales were closed on Tuesday due to the conditions.
It comes as drivers have been warned to be on high alert after National Highways issued an amber severe snow warning last night.
Drivers in the north east and north west of England were told to take extra care and avoid the roads if possible.
Impacted roads included the M26 between J21-J23, the M1 between Leeds and Sheffield and the M56 at Manchester.
National Rail has also warned the weather is likely to impact various routes across the Northern Rail network until at least 2pm.
Mersey Rail has told passengers the first service on each line in the north west is running without customers to ensure snow and ice have not affected the tracks.
East Midlands Railways says trains are currently unable to run in both directions between Nottingham, Mansfield Woodhouse and Worksop due to the “severe weather”.
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Meanwhile, temperatures in Scottish Highlands are expected to drop as low as -7.8C, which would become the lowest temperature recorded in the UK since last winter.
A yellow snow and ice warning is currently in place until 10am on Tuesday covering Northern Ireland.
Another yellow alert is in place until 10am on Wednesday, covering areas in Scotland.
A third covering areas in the East Midlands, Yorkshire and the north of England lasts until 11am on Tuesday .
The Met Office has described conditions as “the first taste of winter”.
The forecaster said 5-10cm of snow is would prove disruptive in England, with Derbyshire being the area most likely to be affected.
Dan Suri, chief meteorologist at the Met Office, added: “An area of low pressure slides its way eastwards on Monday night.
“The associated frontal system, marking the boundary between cold air in the north and milder conditions to the south, will bring disruptive snow to some areas between Monday evening and Tuesday morning.
“This is likely to coincide with rush hour, leading to disruption to some transport routes across a central swathe of the UK on Tuesday morning. It will also be windy in the far south.”
The Met Office has warned of power cuts, disruption to road and public transport and the risk of injury from slipping on ice.
An update from the forecaster this morning said: “Some impactful snow and ice will continue to affect those areas within the warning area this morning.
“Further south across southern parts of Wales, and southern England some snow is also expected at times, which may give some accumulations, chiefly on hills, and locally difficult driving conditions are also possible here.”
It comes as the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) also issued the first amber cold weather health alert of the season this week.
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National Highways issues severe weather alert
NATIONAL Highways has issued a rare amber severe weather alert for snow today.
The agency has warned of “a significant risk” to drivers and is “strongly advising” against travel in these areas.
North West:
- A628 – 10-15 cm snow possible. Possible blown snow.
- A66 – 10-15 cm snow possible
- M62, J21-23 – 10-15 cm snow possible. Possible blown snow.
- A69 – 5-10 cm
- M6, J39 Shap – 10-15 cm snow possible at Shap. Elsewhere 2-5 cm possible south of Carlisle
- M56, Manchester – 2-5 cm snow possible
North East
- A66 – 10-15 cm snow possible
- A628 – 10-15 cm snow possible. Possible blown snow.
- M62, J 21-23 – 10-15 cm snow. Possible blown snow.
- M1, Leeds, Sheffield – 1-3 cm snow possible.
The warning covers the east and north of England, Midlands, and Yorkshire and the Humber.
Yellow alerts also came into place for the South East, South West and London at 8am on Tuesday and will last until 6pm on Saturday.
The Met Office has also warned vehicles could become stranded and rural areas could be cut off.
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.
“Particularly if they are elderly or otherwise at increased risk.”
Charity Asthma + Lung UK urged those living with lung conditions to be “extra careful”.
The charity warned cold weather can trigger potentially life-threatening asthma attacks or “flare-ups” for people with other lung conditions.
Erika Radford, head of health advice, said: “Your risk of ending up in A&E doubles in winter if you have a lung condition.
“We’re here to help you to stay well, however every day people with lung conditions are needlessly suffering and without urgent action more lives will be put at risk.”
WEATHER WARNING Amber health alert issued as health chiefs warn ‘everyone could be at risk’ as cold snap hits UK
AN amber cold weather health alert has been issued for parts of the country as the UK finds itself in the grip of a cold snap.
Plummeting temperatures could impact everyone, not just vulnerable people, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has warned.
UKHSA warned freezing temperatures will likely result in more vulnerable Brits needing healthcare services.
People aged 65 and over, those with pre-existing health conditions – such as respiratory and cardiovascular diseases – and people forced to sleep rough will face the highest risk from cold weather.
But the rest of the population could also be affected.
While yellow alerts are issued during periods of cold weather that pose a risk to elderly people or those with serious health conditions, amber alerts are put in place when a wider impact is expected.
It means lower temperatures could affect the whole health service as well as other sectors requiring a coordinated response.
Dr Agostinho Sousa, Head of Extreme Events and Health Protection at UKHSA, said: “This is the first amber Cold Weather Health Alert of the season, but we can expect more as we approach winter.
“It is vital to check in on vulnerable friends, family and neighbours to ensure they are well prepared for the onset of cold weather.
“Particularly if they are elderly or otherwise at increased risk.”
UKHSA recommends you look out for older family members, friends and neighbours during cold weather by doing the following:
- Keep in touch with them and ask whether they are feeling unwell, or whether they need any practical help
- If bad weather is forecast, see if they need any help stocking up on food and medication
- Contact your local pharmacist, your GP or NHS 111 for advice and support if you’re worried about someone’s health
- Contact NHS 111 if you think someone has hypothermia for further assessment, and in an emergency dial 999; typical signs that someone may be suffering from hypothermia include shivering, slow breathing, tiredness or confusion, and pale, cold skin
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