Met Office yellow ice warning for eight UK areas as residents advised to do one factor
A yellow warning for ice has been issued for parts of northern Scotland today and tomorrow as temperatures plummet and residents are advised to leave home five minutes earlier
A yellow weather warning for ice remains active(Image: PA)
The Met Office has issued a stark warning to residents in eight areas to brace themselves as icy road conditions are set to cause disruption today and tomorrow.
A yellow weather warning for ice remains active across portions of northern Scotland from 7pm on Monday through to 10am on Tuesday. Weather experts have explained that a mix of clear skies and gentle winds will cause road surface temperatures to plummet below freezing, creating treacherous icy patches on roads that haven’t been treated.
As a result, locals have been urged to exercise additional caution and allow an extra five minutes when leaving their properties to prevent potential mishaps. The Met Office stated: “Keep yourself and your family safe when it is icy.
“Plan to leave the house at least five minutes earlier than normal. Not needing to rush, reduces your risk of accidents, slips, and falls. If you need to make a journey on foot or by bike, try to use pavements along main roads which are likely to be less slippery.
“Give yourself the best chance of avoiding delays by checking road conditions if driving, or bus and train timetables, amending your travel plans if necessary.”, reports the Mirror.
The alert covers Angus, Perth and Kinross, Stirling, Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire, Moray, Highland as well as Argyll and Bute.
Currently, no additional weather warnings are active nationwide. In other parts of the UK, the lingering effects of Storm Goretti have triggered flood alerts due to thawing snow and torrential downpours.
The tempest unleashed winds of nearly 100mph alongside a rare red warning for “dangerous, stormy” conditions across south-west England.
Across Scotland on Monday morning, numerous routes were impassable due to flooding or landslides as the thick snow that had covered large swathes of the nation started to melt.
The A92 in Aberdeenshire faced closure in both directions because of flooding, whilst the A9 at Blair Atholl in Perth and Kinross was similarly affected.
A landslide has also shut the A815 close to its junction with the A83 at Cairndow, near the Rest and be Thankful in Argyll and Bute, forcing traffic diversions.
Monday’s forecast predicts maximum temperatures of approximately 11C across England and Wales, with Scotland and Northern Ireland seeing highs of up to 7C.
By midday on Monday, the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (Sepa) website showed 16 flood warnings and 12 flood alerts remained in force.
David Morgan, Sepa’s flood duty manager, warned: “Flood risk is greatest in Dumfries and Galloway, and the west and north of Scotland. Possible impacts could include flooding affecting parts of communities, low-lying land, transport infrastructure and individual properties. Driving conditions will be very difficult at times.”
The Environment Agency has issued three flood warnings, signalling that flooding is expected, alongside 54 flood alerts where flooding remains possible. Natural Resources Wales has put out 13 flood alerts.
More than 12,000 properties remained without electricity on Sunday evening in the wake of the storm, according to the National Grid’s website, whilst National Rail cautioned that travel disruption could persist until Monday.
The UK Government confirmed that the freezing conditions have activated its cold weather payments scheme, which ensures pensioners and low-income families automatically receive £25 for each seven-day stretch of bitter weather. The programme operates across England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Pensions Minister Torsten Bell stated: “As temperatures plunge, cold weather payments will automatically get support directly to vulnerable households. Combined with the biggest-ever Pension Credit take-up campaign and our triple lock commitment – set to increase the state pension by up to £2,100 over this Parliament – we’re ensuring pensioners get the support they need this winter.”
UK 5 day weather forecast
This Evening and Tonight: Conditions remain turbulent tonight, with additional spells of rain that may turn heavy at intervals. Some brighter patches are expected, particularly across northern Scotland where patchy frost and icy conditions may develop. Temperatures will stay relatively mild elsewhere beneath the overcast skies.
Tuesday: Expect sunshine and gusty showers across much of Scotland and Northern Ireland, while the rest of the UK will see cloudy skies with bouts of heavy rain. It’ll be a tad cooler in the north.
Looking ahead from Wednesday to Friday: Wednesday is set to kick off with a frosty start, but should remain dry and bright albeit chilly. Wet and windy conditions are forecasted to sweep northeastwards on Thursday, followed by gusty showers on Friday. The south can anticipate milder temperatures.
