Arctic freeze grinds Britain to a halt: Snow closes faculties and roads on first day again after Christmas as temperature plunges to -9.3C in south and warnings for ice and blizzards cowl UK
Millions of Britons endured a sub-zero return to work today as the country faced further snow with temperatures struggling to get above freezing all day.
Some schools closed while roads were left impassable as were vehicles abandoned and railway lines were blocked amid warnings of up to 30cm (1ft) of snow.
As many people went back to school or work after the Christmas and New Year period, a string of snow and ice warnings were in place across the UK for today.
The Met Office warned the big chill would bring a range of wintry hazards and imposed several amber snow warnings for Scotland, which will be worst hit.
Separate yellow snow warnings were in place for much of the rest of England and northern Scotland as well as the whole of Wales and Northern Ireland.
Heavy snow was causing major disruption to trains in northern Scotland, with LNER telling customers not to travel between Edinburgh and Aberdeen or Inverness. ScotRail said snowploughs were running to check whether its trains could operate.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has also issued an amber cold health alert across the whole of England, which is in place until Friday morning.
It means services may be severely impacted and that officials expect a rise in deaths, particularly among those aged 65 and over or who have health conditions.
A member of the Serpentine Swimming Club takes an early-morning swim at Hyde Park today
Traffic struggles through the snow on the A9 at Brora in Sutherland in the Highlands yesterday
Heavy frost is seen covering Richmond Park in South West London yesterday
Frost surrounds St Martha-on-the-Hill Church at sunrise at Chilworth in Surrey yesterday
Dr Agostinho Sousa, head of extreme events and health protection at UKHSA, urged people to check in on vulnerable friends, family and neighbours.
He warned: ‘The forecast temperatures can have a serious impact on the health of some people, leading to increased risk of heart attacks, strokes and chest infections, particularly for individuals over the age of 65 and those with pre-existing health conditions.’
But some children will get an unexpected extra day of their Christmas holiday, with more than 100 schools remaining closed including in Aberdeenshire, Shetland, Orkney and the Western Isles.
The Met Office warned that people living in the regions covered by the amber weather warning could expect travel disruption, and that rural communities could become cut off.
It also said flights could be cancelled, and that mobile phone coverage could be affected.
Met Office chief meteorologist Matthew Lehnert said snow showers could be expected in the north of Scotland, and some places within the amber warning areas could see a further 20cm to 30cm accumulate by this morning.
He added: ‘Elsewhere in the UK, snow showers, ice and frost are expected at times but milder air will make attempts to spread eastward from Tuesday.
‘This will mean rain becomes more likely in the south, but there is also the possibility of more organised snow along the boundary of the mild and cold airmasses. Strong winds could also be a feature later in the week.’
A Met Office amber warning of heavy snow showers covers Shetland, Orkney and parts of the Highlands and Aberdeenshire until 10am today.
Shetland Isles Council said schools would be closed today.
A spokesperson for Aberdeen City Council said schools and ELC provisions in the city will not open until 11am today and breakfast clubs will not run.
They added: ‘Further updates for each school will be provided by head teachers tomorrow morning once they have assessed individual local circumstances.’
George Fiddes, of Transport Scotland, said: ‘Particularly cold weather is expected this week which is likely to impact driving conditions in the areas covered by the yellow warning, so our advice to motorists is to plan your journey, leave extra time if needed and drive to the conditions.’
ScotRail warned of disruption on routes around Aberdeen and Inverness for much of Monday.
Network Rail Scotland said that the Aberdeen-Dundee, Aberdeen-Inverness, Inverness-Wick/Thurso and Inverness-Kyle of Lochalsh are unlikely to run until midday, due to heavy and drifting snow.
Police Scotland Assistant Chief Constable Alan Waddell: ‘The forecasted heavy snow showers and ice means driving conditions are likely to be hazardous in some areas. Our advice is to plan ahead and consider if your journey is really necessary during the weather warnings.
‘We continue to work with partners to help our communities impacted by the adverse weather.
‘If you need to travel, please drive to the conditions, be prepared for delays and allow extra time for your journey. Please don’t drive through road closures, the decision to close roads is not taken lightly and is done for public safety.’
Scotland’s Transport Secretary Fiona Hyslop urged people to follow advice from authorities.
She said: ‘We’ve already seen challenging conditions and freezing temperatures, with more snow and ice on the way for the same areas.
‘Of course for many, Monday marks a return to work from the festive break. If you have to travel then please ensure your vehicle is winter ready and have a winter kit in your car.
‘Follow Police Scotland travel advice. If you can delay your journey until the amber warning has expired, please do so.’
