Britain is battered by snow, with flights cancelled and energy cuts in England and Wales – and it isn’t over but with virtually 16 inches set to fall TODAY (…however hardy party-goers nonetheless loved a snowy evening out in town!)
Britain has been plunged into chaos after an Arctic blast battered much of the country on Saturday, bringing heavy snow, freezing rain, and ice that has halted travel and caused power outages.
With more snow expected throughout Sunday, the cold snap is not over yet, and conditions are set to worsen.
The Met Office‘s amber warnings for snow and ice remain in effect, as widespread disruptions continue to affect roads, railways, and airports.
Emergency services have been responding to multiple incidents, and power cuts have hit several areas, including parts of the Midlands, South West, and South Wales, including Birmingham, Cardiff, and Bristol.
Bristol Airport suspended flights on Saturday evening due to ‘challenging weather conditions,’ with further delays expected into Sunday.
Passengers have been advised to check with their airlines for updates.
Up to 30cm of snow could bury rural communities, and authorities have warned that some areas could be completely cut off.
The situation is particularly dire in parts of Wales and the Midlands, where heavy snow is making travel increasingly difficult.
Snow falling in Newport. Large parts of the country will face disruption from heavy snow and freezing rain over the weekend after forecasters issued two amber weather warnings
SUNDAY: The forecaster is predicting even more snow, with an extra yellow snow warning in place
MONDAY: The snow is expected to die down with there only being two yellow warnings in place
An image of a snow covered road at the Chartist Bridge
National Highways has reported major disruptions on roads, including the M5 in Somerset, where a series of crashes led to long delays last night.
On the A303 in Wiltshire, a stretch of road is closed in both directions due to heavy snow, and the M62 in Greater Manchester has been severely disrupted by snow and ice, with multiple accidents blocking lanes.
The weather is also affecting rail travel, with National Rail Enquiries confirming that the line between Inverness and Dingwall in Scotland remains closed due to flooding and landslips.
Train services between Inverness and other destinations in northern Scotland are also experiencing delays.
While the NHS Black Country integrated care board has warned the public to ‘avoid going out early when the frost is thick or late at night when it’s dark’, adding people should keep hands free and wear shoes with a good grip.
And in Herefordshire, the Wye Valley NHS Trust told people to ‘have sufficient food and medicine and take measures to reduce draughts in your home’.
However, that didn’t stop revelers in Leeds going out on the town in the freezing cold without coats on.
The weather didn’t stop revelers in Leeds going out on the town in the freezing cold without coats on
Snow begins to fill in Leeds as party goers brave the arctic conditions
The Met Office has issued new snow warnings for Sunday, with even more snow expected to fall
Snow also blanketed London overnight. Pictured is one of the city’s famed red buses picking up a passenger
Streets in London’s Hampstead Heath area of were covered in snow overnight
A person wraps up warm in their coat as cars brave the snow in London
The gritters were out in force across the country last night. Pictured is one in London
The Met Office has issued new snow warnings for Sunday, with even more snow expected to fall. In addition to the snow, freezing rain is expected to cause dangerous ice conditions across Wales, the Midlands, and parts of northern England.
A Met Office spokesperson confirmed that temperatures reached as low as -8.6°C in Aboyne, Aberdeenshire, on Saturday night.
On Sunday, temperatures are expected to range from 2-5°C in most areas, with some southern parts of the UK seeing highs of 7°C. However, conditions will remain cold, with the wind chill making it feel even colder.
Up to 40cm of snow could accumulate in higher ground areas, including parts of Wales and the southern Pennines.
Snow and ice will continue to disrupt travel, with the potential for more road closures and delays to public transport services.
The Met Office’s amber warnings for snow and ice will remain in effect until Sunday afternoon in some areas, while yellow warnings cover most of England, Wales, and parts of Scotland.
Forecasters predict that, as milder air moves in from the south, the snow will turn to rain in some areas, but freezing rain will persist in others, worsening the risk of hazardous conditions on the roads.
Children play in the snow as their father keeps watch from his car
An ambulance drives through the freshly laid snow on January 04, 2025 in Blackwood, Wales
Vehicles negotiating the snow in dangerous conditions
The health impact of the cold snap is also a concern, with the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) issuing cold weather health alerts for all of England.
The elderly and those with pre-existing health conditions are particularly vulnerable to the severe cold, which could increase the risk of heart attacks, strokes, and chest infections.
Emergency services are urging people to avoid unnecessary travel, particularly in high-altitude areas such as the Cotswolds and Peak District, where snow is expected to fall heavily.
The NHS has also warned the public to be cautious of icy conditions, and to avoid going out early in the morning or late at night when frost is thick.
Health Secretary Wes Streeting said that Britons should take precautions, advising people to layer up and ensure their heating is on during the cold snap.
He told BBC Breakfast: ‘We are heading into a cold snap this weekend and I know there are lots of concerns, not just amongst charity leaders, but also among NHS and social care leaders as well, about the particular risks and vulnerabilities this weekend as temperatures drop, both in terms of risk of accident and injury, but also risk from the cold itself.
A house is illuminated with Christmas lights as snow falls. Temperatures reach -10 C this weekend in some parts of the UK with Amber weather warnings issued by the Met office
A car navigates his way down a hill through snow
An image of a snow covered road sign on January 04, 2025 in Blackwood, Wales
Snow falling in Basingstoke. Large parts of the country will face disruption from heavy snow
‘This is a weekend to wrap up and keep warm, to take sensible precautions about going out and about.’
Councils across London and southern England have also activated emergency measures including additional accommodation to help rough sleepers stay safe during the cold snap.
Sunday will bring a slight respite for some areas as milder conditions move in, with temperatures potentially rising to 13°C (55°F) in southern England.
However, these conditions will be short-lived, as another cold front is expected to bring sub-zero temperatures and more snow by Monday.
By Sunday afternoon, areas such as the Midlands and northern England will experience further snow showers, and heavy snow is likely to continue affecting parts of Wales.
A series of weather warnings will come into effect, with status orange snow and ice warnings issued
People out walking at the Wicklow Gap mountain pass in Co Wicklow
The Met Office has warned that conditions could remain hazardous into Monday, with ice, snow, and freezing rain still affecting travel.
Dan Stroud, a meteorologist at the Met Office, said: ‘Although Sunday will bring some milder conditions, the cold weather will return next week. We expect temperatures to remain below average for much of the country, with widespread frost and the risk of more snow showers in northern Scotland.’
This comes after a walker died after falling 70m from a mountain ridge in the Lake District.
Keswick Mountain Rescue said their first callout of the year ended in tragedy after the man died after falling from Sharp Edge on Blencathra on January 2.
The team were joined by the Great North Air Ambulance Service, Coastguard Helicopter R199, and the police.
‘Our thoughts and condolences go to the man’s family and friends,’ the team wrote on Facebook.
