Britain’s large freeze sparks journey disruption: Icy situations plunge rail companies into chaos as temperatures drop to 3C
Travellers have been warned of widespread disruption on Britain’s rail services as temperatures plunge to 3C – with further ‘Big Freeze’ chaos to come.
Temperatures are set to plummet below zero in parts of the UK this week as emergency services continue to deal with the aftermath of Storm Claudia.
Freezing Arctic air will sweep across the UK as parts of the country recovers from severe flooding.
Yellow cold health alerts have been put in place in northern and central England until Friday while snow could fall in parts of Scotland and northern England by Tuesday.
Saturday night marked the coldest recorded since March with temperatures dropping to -7C in Tulloch Bridge in the Highlands.
Freezing temperatures are likely to continue with the Met Office office predicting ‘a cold week ahead with some snow, frost and ice.’
A cold snap is forecast to seize Britain in coming days, with snow and ice a possibility after what has been a spell of above-average temperatures, the forecaster said.
And now National Rail has been updating passengers on how their journeys will be disrupted, from the West Midlands to the West Country.
Buses are today replacing trains between Walsall and Rugeley Trent Valley on West Midlands Railway services, until at least 2.30pm on Monday.
These affected routes involving Birmingham International Airport and Wolverhampton.
Late Monday morning was forecast to have temperatures of 3C in Glasgow, 5C in Manchester and 7C in London
National Rail said said: ‘Slippery rails between Walsall and Rugeley Trent Valley means all lines are blocked. As a result, trains may be cancelled or revised.’
Elsewhere, there is also upheaval on services between Plymouth in Devon and Penzance in Cornwall – affecting both Cross Country and Greater Western Railway.
These include CrossCountry between Edinburgh and Bristol Temple Meads and Penzance, as well as GWR trains between London Paddington, Exeter St Davids, Plymouth and Penzance.
National Rail said on Monday morning: ‘A safety inspection of the track between Plymouth and Penzance means all lines are blocked.
‘As a result, trains may be cancelled, delayed by up 20 minutes or revised.’
Weather warnings have come from the Met Office, whose deputy chief meteorologist Dan Holley said: ‘As Storm Claudia retreats to the south, high pressure to the north-west will drive a cold northerly flow from the Arctic across the UK.
‘This will bring much colder conditions than of late and, whilst generally drier than recent days, there will also be a risk of wintry hazards, such as snow and ice.
‘This will be a notable change in our weather after a prolonged spell of above-average temperatures.’
STERLING, NOVEMBER 14: Snowfall on top of the hills behind Stirling Castle as an icy Arctic blast moves in
MONMOUTH, NOVEMBER 16: A man sweeps water at a fruit shop after severe flooding caused by Storm Claudia, in Monmouth, Wales
Monday morning was said to have temperatures of -1C in Glasgow and between 3 and 4C from Manchester down to the south coast of England.
Despite a frosty start for many, the rest of the day is set to be mostly dry and with some winter sun – with some showers in the far north.
However forecasters are expecting a ‘widespread frost’ into Tuesday morning, with icy patches in large parts of the UK.
And it could become colder still as the week continues.
Early rain and snow should clear on Wednesday leaving very cold northerly winds with sunshine and wintry showers, as well as overnight frost and ice.
By Thursday night the UK is set to see thermometers dip into the minus in Manchester and parts of Scotland.
While the cold Arctic blasts helped keep Storm Claudia – which left much of England and Wales drenched – out of Scotland, it brought along some of the first snowfalls since last winter.
And because of a high pressure system settling over the Atlantic, even more freezing nights are predicted to come across the country.
By Thursday morning large parts of the country will experience near-freezing or below-freezing temperatures
Dan Holley, the Met Office’s deputy chief meteorologist, said: ‘There will be widespread frosts across the UK, with temperatures dipping as low as -7C in places next week, and daytime temperatures staying in single figures across the country.
‘Couple this with a brisk northerly wind, and there will be a marked wind chill.
‘This will be a notable change in our weather after a prolonged spell of above average temperatures.’
The Met Office said the first ten days of November count as the warmest on record for the time of the year.
Forecasters found the average temperature for the early part of the month was close to 11C, which is around 4.3C above the long-term average.
However the warmer spell brought along persistent rainfall too, with flooding in places across Scotland.
Honor Criswick, also a Met Office meteorologist, said the ‘cold weather is here to stay’, with a chance the forecaster will have to impose weather warnings this week.
She explained that there will be a chance of snow tomorrow, as a low pressure system moves its way across the top of the country.
Inverness had a dusting of snow over the weekend, and more snowfall is expected in the Highlands from the early hours of tomorrow morning.
Ms Criswick said: ‘This is mainly across high ground, where we could see significant accumulations.
‘Winds will really be picking up as we head through into Tuesday, so some very blustery if not blizzard conditions where we do see some outbreaks of snow.
‘Highs reaching between 7C to 4C as we move our way from west to east. But adding on that wind-chill, it’s going to feel more like freezing.’
Temperatures were set to be a chilly -5C in parts of Ayrshire, struggling to climb much above zero anywhere in Scotland today.
And as the wintry weather continues to bite, there will be little respite, with low single figures expected ahead.
