More than 200 faculties shut throughout Britain: Classrooms shut as Arctic blast sparks new snow and ice climate warnings – as map reveals worst-hit areas

Snow forced more than 200 schools across Britain to close today as forecasters issued fresh warnings for more flurries and sub-zero conditions from tonight.

Thousands of pupils across Wales and central England were given the day off after nearly 5in (12cm) of snow fell in places and temperatures plunged to -11.2C (12.2F).

Some 140 Welsh schools shut across Wrexham, Powys, Denbighshire and Flintshire; while around 50 closures were reported in the West Midlands and 20 in Derbyshire.

The Met Office activated a yellow ice warning for most of southern England, the Midlands and eastern Wales from 5pm this afternoon until 10am tomorrow.

An additional five yellow warnings for snow and ice were also imposed as follows:

• South Wales from 11.40am today until midnight tonight for 5cm (2in) of snow;
• Northern Ireland from 6pm tonight until 10am tomorrow for 5cm of snow;
• East England from 6pm tonight until 12pm tomorrow for 10cm (4in) of snow;
• Central and North Wales from midnight tonight until 12pm tomorrow for 5cm; and
• Northern Scotland from yesterday until 10am tomorrow for 20cm (8in) of snow.

The Met Office warnings advised that vehicles could be stranded, power cuts may occur, rural areas could be cut off and there was a risk of injury from slipping on ice.

And the UK Health Security Agency issued the first amber cold weather health alert of the season, warning conditions could be dangerous for vulnerable people.

It came amid a big chill with the coldest UK temperature this early in the season since 1998 recorded this morning as Braemar in Aberdeenshire fell to -11.2C (12.2F).

Snow also impacted rail routes today, with no trains able to run between Nottingham and Worksop or between Llandudno and Blaenau Ffestiniog in North Wales.

Northern services across Yorkshire between Bradford and Huddersfield, Hebden Bridge to Halifax and Halifax to Hull were also impacted, while flooding near Ulverston in Cumbria caused disruption between Barrow-in-Furness and Lancaster.

Meanwhile a Stagecoach bus in Aberdeenshire toppled onto its side with a passenger on board in icy conditions this morning in the New Leeds area.

A spokesperson for Stagecoach North Scotland said: ‘We can confirm that one of our vehicles operating on service X67 has been involved in an incident at New Leeds this morning due to ice on the road. One passenger was on board, and there were no injuries.’

Nearly 5in (12cm) of snow fell at Watnall in Nottinghamshire, with 3in (8cm) recorded at Cranwell in Lincolnshire and 2in (5cm) at Lake Vyrnwy in Powys, Wales.

The UK Health Security Agency issued an amber cold weather health alert for the East and North of England, the Midlands, and Yorkshire and the Humber.

Yellow health alerts also came into place for the South East, South West and London at 8am today, lasting until 6pm on Saturday.

Met Office chief meteorologist Neil Armstrong said: ‘With cold Arctic air firmly in place over the UK, continued winter hazards are likely through much of this week, with further updates to warnings likely in the coming days.

‘The current focus for upcoming snow and ice risk is from later on Tuesday and overnight into Wednesday, with snow showers likely moving in off windward coasts in the north and east, as well as drifting into parts of Northern Ireland and Wales.

‘In excess of 10cm of snow is possible over higher ground within the warning areas, with 1-2cm possibly settling at lower levels, which has the potential to lead to some travel disruption. Ice is an additional hazard and is likely to form quickly on untreated surfaces.’

The Met Office, which described the conditions as ‘the first taste of winter’, issued a yellow warning for snow and ice along the east coast of Scotland and England from Berwickshire to Suffolk from 6pm tonight to midday on Wednesday.

A yellow warning for snow and ice covering Northern Ireland has also been issued from 6pm this evening until 10am tomorrow.

There are also warnings in place covering the north of Scotland until 10am tomorrow and much of central and South Wales until 11.59pm today.

A separate warning for much of central and north Wales is in place from midnight until midday tomorrow. 

The Met Office said cold northerly winds will continue through the week across much of the UK, with further warnings likely.

It added that temperatures were likely to increase from the southwest this weekend, though this will be accompanied by some strong winds and heavy rain.

National Rail had warned the cold climate would affect various routes on northern train services until at least 2pm this afternoon.

Thousands of train passengers suffered disruption due to the severe weather.

By 11am this morning, some 64 out of a total of 120 services (53 per cent) planned by East Midlands Railway were cancelled or delayed by at least half-an-hour, according to the trains.im punctuality and reliability website.

Figures for other operators include London North Eastern Railway (37 per cent), Transport for Wales (13 per cent), West Midlands Trains (13 per cent) and CrossCountry (12 per cent).

Merseyrail issued an alert warning passengers that due to the potential of snow and ice covering tracks, the first service on each line in North West England ran without customers to ensure conditions could be checked.

National Highways also sent out a severe amber weather alert for snow, with the M1 in Leeds and Sheffield, the M56 in Manchester, junction 39 of the M6 and junctions 21-23 of the M62 likely to see disruption.

The Met Office, which described the conditions as ‘the first taste of winter’, said heavy snow would prove disruptive in England, with Derbyshire being the area most likely to be affected.

The Alzheimer’s Society warned that cold weather can be ‘particularly challenging’ for people with dementia.

‘Colder temperatures can be difficult for a person with dementia to adjust to, and they may not always be able to communicate that they are cold – or they may not even recognise it themselves,’ the charity said.

It advised the public to check in on loved ones, friends and neighbours living with the condition.

Dr Agostinho Sousa, from the UK Health Security Agency, said: ‘This is the first amber Cold Weather Health Alert of the season, but we can expect more as we approach winter, and it is vital to check in on vulnerable friends, family and neighbours to ensure they are well prepared for the onset of cold weather.

‘Particularly if they are elderly or otherwise at increased risk.’

Age UK director Caroline Abrahams said the charity was worried that the loss of the Winter Fuel Payment has caused many older people to be ‘extra fearful’ about turning on their heating this winter.

‘With high energy bills and food prices it is understandable that some may think they have to cut back on food and turn their heating off, but prolonged exposure to cold temperatures can have a serious impact on an older person’s health, especially if they are already trying to manage existing illnesses,’ she said.

‘The cold raises blood pressure, which in turn increases the risk of a heart attack or stroke and breathing in cold air can also increase the risk, and impact, of serious illnesses like flu and pneumonia.’

Ms Abrahams said it is ‘vital’ that older people stay ‘fit, warm and well if they can’ by having hot food and drinks throughout the day, wrapping up warm and sleeping with the windows closed.

Another charity Asthma + Lung UK urged those living with lung conditions to be ‘extra careful’.

The charity warned that cold weather can trigger potentially life-threatening asthma attacks or ‘flare-ups’ for people with other lung conditions.

Erika Radford, head of health advice at Asthma + Lung UK, said: ‘Your risk of ending up in A&E doubles in winter if you have a lung condition.

‘We’re here to help you to stay well, however every day people with lung conditions are needlessly suffering and without urgent action more lives will be put at risk.’

And RAC Breakdown spokesperson Alice Simpson said: ‘The first taste of winter means drivers are suddenly contending with the some of the worst road conditions we’ve seen all year. 

‘With freezing temperatures already causing disruption in the east and north of England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, and snow showers now affecting regions further south, we advise motorists to plan well ahead and only make journeys if absolutely essential.

‘Drivers should ensure their tyres have plenty of tread and are inflated to the correct pressure to give them the best possible grip on the road. 

‘It’s best to stick to major roads, rather than rural areas where surfaces may not be gritted, reduce speeds and leave plenty of space behind the vehicle in front to ensure you have more time to stop. 

‘Everyone should travel prepared in case they find themselves broken down at the side of the road: a blanket, warm waterproof coat and gloves, sturdy footwear and a charging cable and mobile power bank are all essentials.’

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