Britain ‘on snow and ice alert’ right this moment after brutal -12C Arctic snap

Drivers have been warned to take additional care on ‘Ice Rink Monday’ right this moment amid a ‘don’t journey’ alert for components of Britain after temperatures dropped to -6C (21F).

Snow and ice warnings have been imposed till noon in Scotland, northern England and North Wales – in addition to a rain warning for South West England till 6pm.

The mercury dipped to -5.9C (21.4F) in Scotland and -3C (26.6F) in England this morning, inflicting icy patches on untreated surfaces on account of thawed snow refreezing.

The Lake District was worst hit by heavy snow and Northern Rail mentioned ‘don’t journey’ to passengers in Lancashire and Cumbria attempting to get between Lancaster and Carlisle by way of Barrow-in-Furness and in addition between Oxenholme Lake District and Windermere.

Cumberland Council mentioned practically 40 colleges can be shut right this moment because of the climate. It comes after a whole lot of drivers have been rescued from their vehicles yesterday when drifts greater than a foot deep blocked roads and introduced down energy strains.

Some reported being stranded for as much as 19 hours with out meals or water earlier than assist got here. Around 2,500 residents spent yesterday with out electrical energy as engineers battled treacherous situations to restore strains broken by the extreme blizzards.

Today, a yellow climate warning for ice from the Met Office was in place throughout a lot of the north of England till midday right this moment.

Further warnings for snow overlaying the jap aspect of Scotland, excessive floor in Wales and the Peak District have been in place till the identical time.

RAC Breakdown spokesperson Simon Williams mentioned northern components of the UK might be dealing with an ‘ice rink Monday as snow refreezes in a single day’.

He mentioned: ‘We’re anticipating some very treacherous icy situations in northern components, so those that must drive ought to train nice warning. If it is attainable to delay and even abandon journeys that might be the best choice.

‘Those who determine to drive ought to go away additional area behind the car in entrance, cut back their speeds to present loads of time to cease.

‘Before setting out, it is necessary to permit extra time to de-ice and de-mist automobiles completely.’

The Met Office additionally issued a yellow warning for heavy rain creating disruption to journey throughout components of southern England, South East Wales and into the Midlands which can final till 6pm.

The warning was prolonged west this morning to incorporate extra of Devon and Somerset.

ScotRail suggested passengers to verify their journey earlier than leaving dwelling. The operator added: ‘It’s one other chilly begin to the day. We’re ensuring platforms are gritted, however it could nonetheless be slippy on the station.

‘Please take care whenever you’re travelling and keep in mind that first prepare providers of the day will take a while to warmth up after being within the depots in a single day.’

Electricity North West mentioned it was making sizzling meals obtainable at Greenodd Service Station in Ulverston this morning for patrons who remained with out energy.

Yesterday night, it revealed 1,500 properties in Cumbria remained with out electrical energy after energy cuts adopted heavy snow within the county.

The electrical energy community operator mentioned it had restored energy to 7,500 houses, including that ‘entry continues to be a significant concern and even specialist 4×4 automobiles can’t attain all websites’ with ‘tools for repairs being carried on foot in some areas’.

It added that Cumbria’s energy community had been severely impacted by the snow with greater than 35 separate damages to the community reported, together with ‘extreme harm to miles of overhead strains’.

The UK Health Security Agency and the Met Office have issued amber chilly well being alerts in 5 areas, the East Midlands, West Midlands, North West, North East and Yorkshire and the Humber, till tomorrow, that means ‘chilly climate impacts are more likely to be felt throughout the entire well being service for an prolonged time frame’.

The Met Office mentioned Saturday noticed the coldest temperatures since final winter, with -12.5C (9.5F) recorded in Altnaharra within the Highland area of Scotland.

That identical location was the coldest place in Britain this morning, because the mercury dipped to -5.9C (21.4F).

England and Wales have been anticipated to be largely cloudy outdoors the warning areas right this moment with outbreaks of rain, a few of them turning heavy.

Overnight snow was predicted to be confined largely to the North East and on hills with frost and ice within the north and north west.

The Met Office mentioned rain and hill snow will step by step ease throughout England and Wales tomorrow with brighter spells growing.

It will probably be sunnier however chilly elsewhere with just a few wintry showers within the North East, and lighter winds for many.

After frost and fog clears for brilliant spells on Wednesday, moist and windy climate is anticipated to reach from the South West, pushing north and east into Thursday and Friday, with some preliminary hill snow.

Cumbria police mentioned ice ‘could have a continued impression on Cumbria’s roads’ right this moment and urged individuals to not journey to the area except completely crucial.

It got here after officers, fireplace crews and mountain rescue groups labored by the evening to rescue motorists trapped in a single foot of snow within the southern Lakes on Saturday.

Hundreds bunked down in colleges, scout huts and church halls, or walked for hours to seek out refuge.

Many A-roads and the M6 – the place a number of jack-knifed lorries blocked the motorway – have been affected, and dozens of minor routes remained both closed or impassable yesterday.

Although some snow was forecast on Saturday, locals, vacationers, motorists and, it appears, the Met Office have been caught off guard by the heavy snowfall. 

Mike Smith, 39, his accomplice, Sammy Tancock, 38, and his three step-children have been amongst 100 individuals pressured to spend the evening at Hawkshead Esthwaite Primary School, in Ambleside, after being caught of their automobile for eight hours.

The household had been to look at the annual Grizedale Forest Motor Rally once they grew to become trapped.

Ambleside resident Jane Renouf instructed the BBC: ‘In all of the years I’ve been right here, which is over 50, I’ve by no means seen snow prefer it. It fully blanketed the city. It is a couple of foot deep.’

There have been reviews of individuals abandoning their automobiles to trudge for as much as six hours dwelling by the drifts, together with one man who skied for over an hour from Ings to Bowness after site visitors got here to a standstill.

The man, recognized solely as Rory, mentioned: ‘I simply received my ski touring package out the boot and began snowboarding… At the underside of the hill a load of individuals have been clapping. It was good enjoyable.’

Elsewhere within the North, locals have been undeterred by the snowy situations – together with revellers in Leeds who took to icy pavements in excessive heels to benefit from the countdown to Christmas.