A snow warning has been issued for parts of the UK as the early December’ big freeze continues.
As schools have been forced to close and motorists facing chaos on the road the so-called “Troll of Trondheim” cold snap is threatening to send temperatures plummeting as far as –10ºC.
In Aberdeenshire, Scotland, there were reports of thundersnow – a mixture of a blizzard and a thunderstorm – and the chilly weather looks set to continue.
READ MORE: UK set to be frozen in -10C ‘blizzard’ conditions for a whole week before Christmas
If thundersnow occurs at night, the lightning appears brighter as the light reflects off the snowflakes, the Met Office explains. A snow and ice yellow warning was issued across northern Scotland has been extended until 12am on Sunday (December 11).
(Image: Met Office)
But while wintry weather is no surprise in Scotland and the north of England, preparations to cope with the severe weather are under way as far south as London too.
Mayor Sadiq Khan has activated an emergency protocol to provide emergency accommodation for rough sleepers in the bitter weather.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has issued a Level 3 cold weather alert covering England from Wednesday evening through to the beginning of next week.
(Image: PA)
Met Office experts have issued a number of weather warnings for snow and ice for parts of Scotland, Northern Ireland, Wales and the east coast and south-west England over the coming days.
The forecaster extended Wednesday’s yellow weather warnings into Thursday and Friday, with ice in coastal and northern England, and both snow and ice expected in northern Scotland.
Some roads and railways are likely to be affected with longer journey times expected, it said.
(Image: Getty Images)
Icy conditions may result in some slips and falls and there may be icy patches on untreated roads, pavements and cycle paths, it added.
Today, wintry showers are expected across northern Scotland and the east coasts.
Later tonight further wintry weather will hit Scotland and exposed coasts elsewhere, with further snow accumulations and icy surfaces.
Tomorrow there will be more widespread frost and cold across the UK, with most areas experience freezing temperatures in the morning.
The Met Office’s outlook for Saturday to Monday predicts it will remain very cold with wintry showers continuing around coasts.
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