Temperatures might plunge to report -15C tonight

Britain is bracing for the coldest evening of the yr to this point amid fears that temperatures might plunge to a report -15C in components of the UK.

Yellow warnings for snow and ice have additionally been put in place throughout Scotland, a lot of northern England and components of north Wales till midnight on Tuesday, in addition to for Northern Ireland till 11am.

The winter’s report low of -12.5C (9.5F) set on December 3 could possibly be damaged tonight – with milder air not arriving to the weekend, when it’s going to turn into moist and windy. 

The mercury, which fell to -9C (16F) this morning might now plummet to -15C (5F) tonight with the UK enduring a ‘chilly plunge of Arctic air’ as greater than 100 colleges closed on Tuesday. 

Met Office forecaster Craig Snell stated at this time we might see a ‘persistent band of snow’ over three to 6 hours throughout Scotland, Northern Ireland and components of northern England and Wales.

He stated: ‘In the early hours of the morning we’re taking a look at temperatures getting all the way down to -12C in a couple of spots, Tuesday evening probably all the way down to -15C.

‘So definitely a really chilly spell into Wednesday.’

Britain was gripped by highway chaos at this time as police responded to an ‘inflow’ of accidents and drivers had been warned they might find yourself stranded in heavy snow.

Temperatures fell to -9C (16F) this morning and will plummet to -15C (5F) tonight with the UK enduring a ‘chilly plunge of Arctic air’ as greater than 100 colleges closed.

Lancashire Police stated there was ‘an inflow in highway visitors collisions’ within the county, whereas Merseyside Police handled ‘a variety of incidents’ on the roads resulting from snow.

The Met Office expects 4in (10cm) of snow in northern England and Wales, whereas as much as 8in (20cm) might fall within the Scottish Highlands. Cumbria, Northumberland and the Pennines could possibly be worst hit at this time – after Aberdeenshire noticed 6in (15cm) yesterday.

More than 1ft 4in (40cm) of snow might accumulate on excessive floor in North West Scotland by the tip of Friday because it continues to construct up over the approaching days. 

The coldest temperature this morning was -8.6F (16.5F) on Aonach Mòr in Scotland, whereas areas of Oxfordshire, Dorset and Hampshire all fell to -8C (17.6F). Northolt in West London was -6.2C (20.8F) whereas Gatwick and Exeter airports had been -6C (21F).

Meteorologists stated there could possibly be ‘doable journey delays on roads stranding some autos and passengers’ and ‘rural communities might turn into reduce off’. It comes as:

• More than 100 flood alerts or warnings remained in place for England at this time;
• Attractions similar to Belfast Zoo and Highland Wildlife Park closed resulting from snow; 
• Forecasters stated sturdy winds might end in ‘drifting or blizzard circumstances’;
• At least 100 colleges shut in northern Scotland at this time because of the circumstances; 
• Thousands of households within the UK are eligible for chilly climate funds; 
• London Fire Brigade warns individuals to not stroll on frozen lakes and canals; and
• National Rail warned the wintry climate might have an effect on practice journeys all week.

Liverpool was among the many cities worst hit by snow at this time, with 36 colleges closing and bin collections suspended as staff had been redeployed to clear footpaths as an alternative. 

The climate has additionally impacted sport, with 5 National League soccer matches postponed tonight resulting from frozen pitches and dozens extra in divisions under additionally known as off.

As the mercury struggled to rise above 0C (32F) throughout a lot of the UK, the Met Office imposed three days of warnings for snow and ice lasting till Thursday.

National Highways issued a extreme climate warning to motorists within the North West, whereas a UK Health Security Agency chilly well being alert stays lively for the entire of England till Friday.

London Mayor Sadiq Khan has activated the Severe Weather Emergency Protocol for councils to open further emergency lodging for tough sleepers. 

Londoners had been additionally instructed by firefighters to not stroll on or close to frozen lakes, rivers and canals out of concern the ice might break and so they might plunge into the water.

Today, a lot of Britain had one other day of chilly climate and journey disruption after in a single day lows dropped under freezing for the majority of the nation.

The Met Office stated heavy snow is feasible throughout northern areas at this time, particularly in Scotland and in a single day in Northern Ireland, with the remainder of the nation seeing a chilly, dry day forward of a widespread, extreme frost within the night.

A yellow warning is in place for snow and ice throughout Scotland, a lot of northern England and components of north Wales till midnight on Tuesday, in addition to for Northern Ireland till 11am. The warnings proceed throughout massive swathes of the northern half of the nation till Thursday.

Northern and jap components of Scotland noticed the ‘bulk of the snow’ yesterday, with 6in (15cm) on the bottom at Aberdeen Airport by the night.

A ‘chilly plunge of Arctic air’ has moved south throughout the entire nation over the previous few days, making it 5C to 6C decrease than typical for this time of yr, the Met Office stated.

The Arctic climate sparked warnings from the London Fire Brigade (LFB) and the RSPCA about strolling on or close to frozen lakes and waterways, after 4 kids died within the West Midlands in December 2022 after they fell into an icy lake.

LFB assistant commissioner for prevention and safety, Charlie Pugsley, stated: ‘If you fall in, the temperature of icy water is chilly sufficient to take your breath away, which might simply result in panic and drowning. 

‘The coldness could make your legs and arms numb which suggests you may’t management them and may’t swim. It can result in hypothermia – a severe discount in your physique temperature – which might trigger coronary heart failure. This occurs even to the strongest swimmers.’

The RSPCA urged individuals to maintain their pet canine on a lead when going for a stroll and away from frozen ponds, lakes or rivers.

Pet welfare specialist Dr Sam Gaines stated: ‘It is greatest to stroll canine away from frozen water or preserve them on the lead if it is unavoidable. If your canine ventures onto the ice, by no means observe them onto it, as an alternative name them to return again to you straight away, but when they get caught name hearth and rescue providers for assist.

‘Owners ought to by no means attempt to threat rescuing their pet themselves as they might get themselves right into a harmful state of affairs.’

It comes because the Government confirmed 1000’s of households in England and Wales are eligible for chilly climate funds.

The funds are made to weak individuals, together with pensioners, to assist them pay for heating when the temperature dips under freezing.

It goes to these residing in an space the place the common temperature is recorded as, or forecast to be, 0C or under over seven consecutive days.

Payments can be made to houses throughout Cumbria, Oxfordshire, Yorkshire, Northumberland, Norfolk, Staffordshire and Powys in Wales.

The UK Health Security Agency has issued a chilly well being alert, which warns of doable impacts for the well being and social care sector.

National Highways has put in place a extreme climate alert for snow affecting the North West at this time, with highway customers suggested to plan forward and a few rural communities warned they could possibly be quickly reduce off.

Amy Fellows, nationwide community supervisor at National Highways, stated: ‘Freezing circumstances deliver so many hazards similar to snow and ice, so take each doable step to grasp your journey upfront and permit a number of further time when travelling to organize for the surprising.’

The Met Office climate warning additionally advises a collection of precautions for drivers.

It stated motorists ought to ‘go away extra time to organize and examine your automobile earlier than setting off’ and ‘pack necessities’ similar to heat clothes, meals, drink, a blanket and torch, a fully-charged telephone and a back-up charger.

Stein Connelly, head of transport resilience at Transport Scotland, stated the chilly snap had prompted troublesome driving circumstances with additional ‘extreme impacts’ anticipated at this time.

National Rail has warned the wintry climate might have an effect on practice journeys all week with ScotRail saying providers on the Highland Mainline route at this time can be delayed by round half-hour.

There are additionally fears of disruption on South Western Railway providers this week. 

Speaking in regards to the potential for flight disruption, Nicky Kelvin, editor at massive at The Points Guy, instructed MailOnline: ‘As we enter the coldest time of yr and snow begins to decide on the bottom, it is very important recognise journey security and be ready for journey disruptions.

‘If you might be planning to journey within the subsequent few days, control your airline’s app for early warning indicators that your flight could also be delayed or cancelled.

‘Remember that even when the climate is evident the place you at the moment are, world interruptions would possibly trigger plane and crews to be displaced, impacting flights even in sunny and dry components of the world.

‘Check your airline’s web site to find out in case your schedule is roofed by an airline journey alert, which can can help you modify even a restrictive ticket at no further price.’

In Scotland, greater than 100 colleges had been closed at this time amid the wintry climate.

There had been 22 faculty closures in Aberdeenshire whereas virtually all different colleges had been both opening late, dealing with transport points or had been partially closed.

In the Highlands, 75 colleges had been closed whereas others had been partially closed or had delayed openings.  Some 26 in Shetland had been closed.

Yesterday round 200 colleges within the north of Scotland had been closed in comparable areas.

However, amid the disruption, some individuals acquired out and about to benefit from the wintry scenes.

Skiers within the Cairngorms had been handled to a masking of snow –even at decrease ranges – by yesterday morning.

Elsewhere, Bethany Austin and her four-year-old son Ambrose loved a spot of sledging in Huntly, Aberdeenshire.

Meanwhile, icicles remodeled the Ross Fountain in Edinburgh’s Princes Street Gardens into an impromptu ice sculpture.

Met Office chief meteorologist Andy Page stated: ‘There can be widespread frost this week and we might see some pretty deep laying snow in components of northern UK and robust winds might end in drifting or blizzard circumstances at occasions.

‘The snow and ice can be disruptive and will probably affect journey plans, make driving harmful and pavements slippery.’

Forecasters say there may be the potential for ‘some snow’ in southern England mid-week as a low-pressure system strikes throughout northern France.

Met Office deputy chief meteorologist Nick Silkstone stated: ‘The observe of this method nonetheless has some small however all-important uncertainties tied to its northern extent, and it has the potential to deliver some snow to southern England.

‘However, our most well-liked answer suggests minimal snowfall (a few cm at most) throughout components of the acute south of England in affiliation with this method, however we’re keeping track of how issues develop and can replace the forecast as wanted.’

The Met Office is reviewing the state of affairs for doable snowfall within the South and any new warnings could possibly be issued at brief discover, it stated.

The weekend can be milder, however westerly climate will deliver wind and rain – and the potential for extra climate warnings because the snow melts.

Stephen Dixon, spokesman for the Met Office, stated: ‘We’ve seen a good bit of snow already and extra is predicted in coastal areas, the north of Scotland, north-west England and south-west Scotland.

‘It can be a seamless theme by a lot of this week.’

He added: ‘Towards the weekend it is wanting like we are going to return to a extra western affect, so moist and windy as you get to Friday and it’ll deliver temperatures up barely.

‘As you get in the direction of Saturday you can see most temperatures of 11C within the south west of England which is way milder than what we have seen as of late.

‘By Sunday we’d see fairly a deep space of low strain transferring through which will deliver sturdy winds and heavy rain.

‘The further hazards can be snow melting and rainfall on Sunday.’

In March 2018 the village of Nenthead, Cumbria, was surrounded by huge drifts and the Royal Air Force delivered provides by Chinook helicopter.

And in November 2021, prospects had been snowed in for 3 days at Britain’s highest pub, the Tan Hill Tavern, close to Richmond, North Yorkshire, which is 1,732ft (528m) above sea stage.