UK weather live: Amber warnings in place as snow and freezing rain hits Britain
Major health warning issued and disruption including travel chaos and power cuts likely as Met Office issues alerts across the country for first weekend in 2025
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Your support makes all the difference.Two amber weather warnings are in place across the UK as heavy snow and freezing rain has started to hit Britain.
The first amber warning for snow and rare freezing rain covering most of Wales and central England came into place from 6pm on Saturday to midday on Sunday.
Another amber snow alert is in place across most of northern England from 9pm on Saturday until the close of Sunday.
Up to 40cm of snow is expected in the worst affected areas, while much of the warning area can expect 3cm to 7cm, the Met Office predicted.
The alerts come after the forecaster confirmed temperatures plunged to as low as -8.6C in Aboyne in Aberdeenshire overnight.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) also issued a Cold-Health Alert (CHA), warning of an “increase in risk to health”.
Meanwhile, Bristol Airport was forced to suspend flights after heavy snowfall as a “number of collisions” were reported across Somerset.
Further weather warnings could be issued for start of next week
Further weather warnings could be issued for the start of next week as the plummeting temperatures are expected to continue.
Milder air will briefly cover some southern areas during the weekend before a new northerly flow allows colder conditions to return across the UK next week, the Met Office said.
Deputy chief forecaster Dan Holley said temperatures would remain below average with some areas struggling to get above freezing for several days.
Sporting fixtures called off due to bad weather
Some football games have been called off, while Saturday’s race meeting at Newcastle has been abandoned because the course is frozen.
The cancelled football matches include Cheltenham’s clash with League Two leaders Walsall, which was due to take place on Saturday, Halifax’s National League home game against Fylde, which was also set for Saturday, while Friday night’s Scottish Championship game between Airdrie and leaders Falkirk did not take place.
Councils across London and southern England activate emergency measures
Councils across London and southern England have activated emergency measures.
This includes additional accommodation to help rough sleepers stay safe during the cold snap.
Emergency team meeting as Ireland braces for ‘multi-hazard weather event’
The government’s Emergency Planning Team is holding a meeting as Ireland braces for a “multi-hazard weather event”, which is due to hit the country later on Saturday.
Snow, ice, heavy rain and sleet are to sweep over the island of Ireland as temperatures continue to plummet.
A series of weather warnings will come into effect, with status orange snow and ice warnings issued for Carlow, Kilkenny, Laois, Offaly, Wicklow, Clare, Limerick and Tipperary.
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Emergency team meeting as country braces for ‘multi-hazard weather event’
Forecasters have warned that it will lead to very difficult travelling conditions.
Cold weather alerts remain in place across England meaning likely rise in deaths
Cold weather health alerts for all of England remain in place ahead of a week of low temperatures.
Amber alerts were issued on Thursday and will run until 8 January, meaning a rise in deaths is likely, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) said.
Risk of rare freezing rain leading to ‘treacherous and extremely dangerous’ conditions
The Met Office has warned of a risk of rare freezing rain leading to “treacherous” and “extremely dangerous” conditions in places.
The weather service’s chief forecaster Jason Kelly: “There is a risk of freezing rain across parts of the Midlands and northern England, but especially Wales, adding to the risk of ice and leading to some treacherous conditions in places.
As the super-cooled rain droplets hit the surface they instantly freeze, covering everything in a layer of ice, making it extremely dangerous.”
He predicted some “significant accumulations” of snow are possible in parts of Wales, the Midlands and northern England, and the additional factor of strengthening winds could lead to drifting of lying snow.
Drivers urged to take care as snow and ice hit UK
National Highways has warned a “spell of disruptive snow” would spread across southern and central parts of the road network on Saturday night.
Drivers in high-altitude areas, particularly the Cotswolds and Peak District, were warned to take particular care. Gwent Police issued a warning for black ice on Friday.
Road users in England’s north were warned up to 25cm of snow could hit parts of the network including the A66 Old Spittal, A628 Woodhead Pass and M62 at Windy Hill.
Met Office warns of disruption this weekend caused by weather
Stranded vehicles on the roads, delayed or cancelled rail and air travel and power cuts are all likely as the country grapples with a week-long spell of wintry conditions, the Met Office has warned.
There is also a “good chance” that rural communities could be cut off thanks to the weather, with up to 40cm of snowfall expected in some areas.
Gwent Police issue warning for black ice
Gwent Police have issued a warning for black ice.
In a post on social media on Friday night, the force warned of “dangerous” roads caused by snow and ice.
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