Severe weather across the UK has triggered widespread disruption, prompting numerous school closures and impacting travel. Yellow weather warnings for snow and ice are in effect for much of the country, with the potential for further wintry conditions.
Sub-zero temperatures, reaching -5.5°C overnight, have led to the Met Office issuing several warnings. A substantial snowfall of up to 10cm is anticipated in parts of southern England, with warnings also active in Northern Ireland and parts of Scotland. These warnings are slated to expire by midnight.
The cold spell is expected to persist through the week, with amber health alerts from the UK Health Security Agency active in England. Furthermore, widespread flooding is also impacting various regions. The Environment Agency reports 91 flood warnings and 178 alerts as of Wednesday morning. These issues have strained emergency services, with the RAC reporting record numbers of breakdowns due to treacherous road conditions.
Consequently, many schools have closed early to ensure student safety. Travel advisories have been issued to mitigate further disruption. Drivers are strongly urged to exercise caution on icy roads and avoid driving through standing water.
The prolonged winter weather is set to continue, with potential for further snow and ice in some regions. Residents and travelers are advised to follow official warnings and advisories.
