Large areas of the UK are bracing for a winter onslaught this weekend, as heavy snow and freezing rain are expected to cause significant disruption under two Amber weather warnings.
With the Met Office forecasting a difficult week of cold conditions, motorists could find themselves stranded on the roads, while delays and cancellations affect train and air travel, and power cuts become a worrying possibility.
Rural communities are likely to face isolation, with some areas potentially experiencing snow accumulation reaching nearly 30cm. A Met Office spokesperson confirmed temperatures had dropped to a stinging minus 8.6C overnight in Aboyne, Aberdeenshire.
Persistent cold conditions are expected to encompass much of Saturday, with temperatures hovering between 2 and 5°C, and rising slightly to 7°C in south-west England.
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In stark comparison, the coldest January temperature last year was recorded at minus 14C in Dalwhinnie in the Highlands.
An Amber Warning for snow and rare freezing rain is active for much of Wales and central England, encompassing the Midlands and extending to the North West cities of Liverpool and Manchester, in force from 18 a.m. Saturday until noon Sunday.
Additionally, a second Amber Alert for snow will cover most of northern England, including Leeds, Sheffield and the picturesque Lake District, from 9pm Saturday until midnight Sunday.
Snowfall expectations range from 3 cm to 7 cm in warning areas, although lower elevation locations may see snow mixing with rain at times.
As if that wasn’t enough, the Met Office has also issued yellow alerts for snow and ice in many other parts of the UK, each covering different intervals throughout the weekend.
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A yellow alert for snow and ice comes into effect from midday Saturday to midnight Sunday for large parts of England and Wales that are not included in the amber alerts.
Further yellow alerts for snow and ice have been activated for most of Northern Ireland from 9pm Saturday to 6pm Sunday, while northern Scotland faces a yellow alert for ice from 4 p.m. Saturday to 10 a.m. Sunday. The Shetland Islands will have a yellow alert for snow from 10am to 6pm on Saturday.
On Sunday, a yellow warning for rain will affect parts of Wales and the West Midlands from 6am to 9pm.
National highways have called for vigilance as a “disruptive snow event” passes through southern and central road networks on Saturday evening.
Drivers crossing high altitude terrain, particularly in the Cotswolds and the Peak District, should remain particularly cautious, while Gwent Police issued warnings about icy conditions this past Friday.
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The north of England is set to see significant snowfall, with warnings indicating possible accumulations of up to 25cm on the road network, impacting routes such as the A66 Old Spittal, A628 Woodhead Pass and the M62 at Windy Hill.
Bad weather has already had an impact on the sport, with horse races at Sandown Park, Surrey, canceled due to concerns over unmanageable ground conditions. In their social media announcement, Sandown Park said: “Unfortunately, today’s race has been abandoned due to frozen ground.
Met Office chief forecaster Jason Kelly said significant snow accumulations were likely in areas across Wales, the Midlands, and parts of northern England. He warned that strengthened winds could lead to significant snowdrifts, further complicating conditions.
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“There is a risk of freezing rain affecting parts of the Midlands and northern England, with Wales particularly vulnerable. This could create treacherous conditions as super-cooled raindrops freeze on contact with surfaces, resulting in dangerously slippery areas,” Kelley said.
This period of bad weather has been compounded by an incident where Lincolnshire Police are investigating a fatal crash near Grantham. Authorities suspect icy conditions may have played a role in the crash that claimed the life of a seven-month-old baby.
As the cold weather intensifies, the United Kingdom Health Safety Agency (UKHSA) has issued cold-related health alerts across England, predicting rising death rates due to freezing temperatures. Amber alerts initially issued on Thursday will remain in effect until January 8.
London and southern councils have mobilized emergency resources to ensure homeless people have access to accommodation during this severe cold snap.
Several football matches have been postponed, including Cheltenham’s clash against League Two leaders Walsall and Halifax’s National League match against Fylde, both originally scheduled for Saturday. Additionally, the Scottish Championship encounter between Airdrie and leaders Falkirk has also been called off.
The race at Newcastle was also abandoned due to frozen track conditions.
Although milder conditions may briefly bathe parts of the south this weekend, the Met Office warns that a new northern air current will bring even colder conditions throughout the coming week.
Deputy Chief Forecaster Dan Holley noted that temperatures are expected to remain below normal, with some areas potentially struggling to rise above freezing for several more days.
As winter’s grip strengthens, more weather warnings expected early next week could mean new challenges are on the horizon.
