The Met Office has issued a “risk to life” weather warning with snow set to blanket the UK from today. Freezing cold blizzards will hit some areas.
Parts of Scotland have had their weather alerts upgraded from yellow to amber by the Met Office, with yellow warnings still in place in many others areas across the UK. The country is in for a cold wintry start to the New Year. The forecaster says up to 40cm of snow could hit some areas in Scotland, while winds could lead to temporary blizzard conditions, prompting travel chaos, power cuts and “the potential risk to life and property”.
The amber warnings cover parts of the Highlands and northeast Scotland, with frequent and prolonged heavy snow showers expected between noon on Friday and noon on Saturday.
(Image: Met Office)
Delays and cancellations to rail and air travel are likely, as well as power cuts and disruption on the roads. Some rural communities could become cut off.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has warned of a possible increase in deaths after issuing more severe warnings across England for the cold snap.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has upgraded its previous yellow alerts to amber in the East Midlands, West Midlands, South East, South West, East of England, Yorkshire and the Humber, and London. These will remain until 10am on January 6.
(Image: Met Office)
Dr Agostinho Sousa, Head of Extreme Events and Health Protection at UKHSA, said: “As the colder weather sets in it is vital to check in on friends, family and neighbours that are most vulnerable.
“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.”
A yellow warning for snow and ice was issued across large parts of England and Wales from 12am to noon today, affecting areas from Chester and Greater Manchester down to London and Kent. Some areas, particularly higher ground in North Wales and northwest England, could see up to 5cm of snow.
(Image: Supplied)
Saturday also brings another snow and ice warning for northern Scotland, from midnight Friday through to midnight Sunday. A snow and ice warning affecting parts of northeast England will be in place from midnight Friday until midnight Saturday.
A Met Office spokesperson said: “This warning highlights the risk of disruptive snow showers and icy surfaces, particularly in northern and eastern areas, with impacts on travel and potential hazards for the public.
“We expect this cold spell to persist into the weekend and on into next week, with further warnings possible as temperatures remain well below average and snow showers continue in places.”
(Image: Met Office)
Dr Paul Coleman, consultant in health protection at the UKHSA, added: “The weather is forecast to be very cold across England over the coming few days. Low temperatures like these can have serious impacts on the health of some people, particularly older people and those with serious health conditions. Exposure to cold can lead to increased risk of heart attacks, strokes and chest infections.
“It is therefore really important, as the colder weather sets in, to check in on friends, family and neighbours that are most vulnerable.”
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