Travel chaos grips UK in -9C deep freeze as police reply to crashes

Britain was gripped by highway chaos in the present day 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 site visitors collisions’ within the county, whereas Merseyside Police handled ‘numerous incidents’ on the roads as a result of snow.

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

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 might be ‘potential journey delays on roads stranding some automobiles and passengers’ and ‘rural communities may grow to be minimize off’. It comes as:

• More than 100 flood alerts or warnings remained in place for England in the present day;
• Attractions akin to Belfast Zoo and Highland Wildlife Park closed as a result of snow; 
• Forecasters stated sturdy winds may lead to ‘drifting or blizzard situations’;
• At least 100 colleges had been shut in Scotland in the present day as a result of extreme situations; 
• Thousands of households within the UK are eligible for chilly climate funds; 
• London Fire Brigade warns to not stroll on frozen lakes and waterways; and
• National Rail warned the wintry climate may have an effect on practice journeys all week.

This winter’s file low of -12.5C (9.5F) set on December 3 might be damaged tonight – and milder air won’t arrive till the weekend, when it would grow to be moist and windy. 

Liverpool was among the many cities worst hit by snow in the present day, with 36 colleges closing. 

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 climate warning to motorists within the North West, whereas a UK Health Security Agency chilly well being alert stays energetic for England till Friday.

And 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 warned by firefighters to not stroll on or close to frozen lakes, rivers and canals out of worry the ice may break and so they may plunge into the water.

Today, a lot of Britain is going through one other day of chilly temperatures and journey disruption after in a single day lows dropped beneath freezing for the majority of the nation.

The Met Office stated heavy snow is feasible throughout northern areas in the present day, 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 common for this time of yr, the Met Office stated.

Met Office forecaster Craig Snell stated in the present day may 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 number of spots, Tuesday evening probably all the way down to -15C.

‘So definitely a really chilly spell into Wednesday.’

The Arctic climate sparked warnings from the London Fire Brigade and the RSPCA about strolling on or close to frozen lakes and waterways, after 4 kids died within the West Midlands in December 2022 once 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 may simply result in panic and drowning. 

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

The RSPCA urged folks 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 comply with them onto it, as an alternative name them to come back again to you instantly, but when they get caught name fireplace 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 scenario.’

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

The funds are made to susceptible folks, together with pensioners, to assist them pay for heating when the temperature dips beneath freezing.

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

Payments can be made to properties 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 potential 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 in the present day, with highway customers suggested to plan forward and a few rural communities warned they might be quickly minimize off.

Amy Fellows, nationwide community supervisor at National Highways, stated: ‘Freezing situations deliver so many hazards akin to snow and ice, so take each potential step to know your journey upfront and permit a lot of further time when travelling to arrange 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 arrange and test your automotive earlier than setting off’ and ‘pack necessities’ akin 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 triggered troublesome driving situations with additional ‘extreme impacts’ anticipated in the present day.

National Rail has warned the wintry climate may have an effect on practice journeys all week with ScotRail saying providers on the Highland Mainline route in the present day could 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, advised MailOnline: ‘As we enter the coldest time of yr and snow begins to choose the bottom, it is very important recognise journey security and be ready for journey disruptions.

‘If you’re planning to journey within the subsequent few days, keep watch over 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 are actually, 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 let you modify even a restrictive ticket at no extra value.’

In Scotland, greater than 100 colleges had been closed in the present day amid the wintry climate.

There had been 22 faculty closures in Aberdeenshire whereas virtually all different colleges had been both opening late, going through 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 folks acquired out and about to benefit from the wintry scenes.

Skiers within the Cairngorms had been handled to a overlaying 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 may see some pretty deep laying snow in components of northern UK and robust winds may lead to drifting or blizzard situations at instances.

‘The snow and ice can be disruptive and will probably influence 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 monitor of this technique 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 popular resolution suggests minimal snowfall (a few cm at most) throughout components of the acute south of England in affiliation with this technique, however we’re keeping track of how issues develop and can replace the forecast as wanted.’

Iin 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.