Severe weather conditions, including widespread snow and ice, are impacting the UK, leading to travel disruptions and widespread school closures. Four weather warnings are in effect, with snow and ice warnings covering parts of Northern Ireland, Wales, and southern England. An ice warning for most of southern England will be lifted by 10:30 am. Northern Scotland remains under a snow and ice warning until the end of the day. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has extended a cold weather health alert until Sunday, as temperatures plummet to potentially -20°C in parts of the country.
The cold air mass, driven by northerly winds, has brought sustained low temperatures, with overnight lows reaching -12.4°C. This extreme weather is expected to persist through the end of the week, with further snow and ice warnings anticipated for Friday and Saturday.
Travel disruptions are significant, and the RAC reports the highest level of rescue demand since December 2022. Drivers are urged to exercise caution, particularly on rural roads where black ice poses a significant danger.
School closures are widespread across affected areas. The Met Office highlights the increased risk of injuries due to icy surfaces and advises caution during travel.
The Met Office forecasts continued bitterly cold temperatures, with potentially record low readings, particularly in rural areas of Scotland and northern England. The extended cold weather health alert from the UKHSA emphasizes the potential health risks for vulnerable populations.
