Big freeze to sit back us to the bone for days as -4C situations spark big disaster
Millions will be left shivering for at least a week, with snow blizzards already causing mass school closures, traffic chaos, flight cancellations and pressure on the NHS
Britain’s deadly big freeze will leave us shivering for at least a week – with –4C temperatures and snow blizzards already sparking mass school closures, traffic chaos, flight cancellations and an NHS crisis.
Up to 12 inches of the white stuff was expected to have fallen by Tuesday (January 6), with amber cold health alerts slapped on the nation as millions of parents and workers struggled through traffic chaos on the first day back to work after Christmas.
Hundreds of schools across Devon, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are set to stay shut for at least another day due to the Arctic blast. Train lines across the country have also been hit by the big chill and snowfall.
Hospitals are also being battered – with NHS staff braced for admissions of even more patients as the system becomes overwhelmed with those suffering horrific flu cases. Scotland will bear the brunt of the worst of the weather, with the UK Health Security Agency warning the freezing temperatures are likely to hit health and wellbeing.
Dr Agostinho Sousa, head of extreme events and health protection at UKHSA, issued an alert urging Brits to keep tabs on vulnerable friends, family and neighbours. He urged: “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.”
Britain’s creaking NHS was said by England’s medical director Professor Meghana Pandit to be under “extraordinary pressure” due to the extreme weather conditions. Figures show an average of 3,061 flu patients were admitted to hospital each day in the week ending 21 December.
Around 95% of beds are now full, with the freeze set to stretch resources to breaking point. Yellow weather warnings are in place in Wales, Greater Manchester and south-west England.
Swathes of the east coast of England is also covered by a yellow warning for ice. Amber warnings in Scotland cover the Highlands and Aberdeenshire areas, along with Orkney, Shetland and the Outer Hebridean Islands.
Liverpool John Lennon Airport posted on X to say the runway was closed due to wintry conditions and some flights were “subject to delay and there have been some cancelations”. Belfast International Airport said there had been several delays and cancellations on Monday.
With cars covered in snow, the Met Office has warned motorists to exercise severe caution amid “difficult” driving conditions. A series of vans and cars have crashed on icy roads and have been abandoned in ditches.
RAC spokesman Rod Dennis warned: “Drivers must take extreme care, especially those using roads that haven’t been gritted, and should consider delaying their journeys until conditions improve.”
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