UK weather live: Flights suspended at Bristol Airport after snow as temperatures of -9C to bring freezing rain
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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The airport said flights have been suspended until later on Saturday night as it tried to clear the runway of snowfall.
It comes as a Met Office 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 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”.
Bus services cancelled as rail lines closed on Friday
All Stagecoach bus services were cancelled in Orkney after a bus left the road near the Brig O’ Waithe, according to the BBC, while the Far North railway line remained closed for 80 miles between Inverness and the Kyle of Lochalsh due to floods and landslips.
Travellers asked to delay journey amid icy conditions and train delays
National Rail is advising people to check their “whole journey” before setting off over the coming days as National Highways “strongly” advised people that travel is “likely to be extended or even disrupted”.The government agency tasked with operating England’s motorways says snowfall over the weekend will, in some places, turn into rain and potentially lead to ice in some areas. Regions of high ground - such as the Cotswolds and the Peak District are at more risk of this, it adds. National Highways says road users should plan ahead and check the Met Office weather updates, and for traffic information from Traffic England before setting off or delay journeys. Also likely are more delays and cancellations to bus, rail and air travel. Northern and ScotRail services are currently affected, while bus replacement services are running between Llandudno Junction and Blaenau Ffestiniog.
'A weekend to layer up and keep warm'
Health Secretary Wes Streeting said on Friday it is “a weekend to layer up and put the heating on” due to the cold conditions.
“We are heading into a cold snap this weekend and I know there are lots of concerns, not just amongst charity leaders, but also among NHS and social care leaders as well, about the particular risks and vulnerabilities this weekend as temperatures drop, both in terms of risk of accident and injury, but also risk from the cold itself,” he told BBC Breakfast.
“This is a weekend to wrap up and keep warm, to take sensible precautions about going out and about.”
Sports fixtures called off due to poor weather
Some football games have already been called off this weekend, including 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, and Friday night's Scottish Championship game between Airdrie and leaders Falkirk.
Meanwhile, Saturday's race meeting at Newcastle has been abandoned because the course is frozen.
'Good chance' rural communities could be cut off amid freezing rain
Large parts of the country will face disruption from heavy snow and freezing rain over the weekend after forecasters issued two amber weather warnings.
Stranded vehicles on the roads, delayed or cancelled rail and air travel and power cuts are all likely as the UK grapples with a week-long spell of wintry conditions, the Met Office said.
There is also a “good chance” that rural communities could be cut off due to the conditions, with up to 30cm of snowfall expected locally.
“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,” Met Office chief forecaster Jason Kelly said.
Temperatures forecast to fall to -10C
Temperatures of -10C could be seen in parts of rural Scotland on Friday night, according to new Met Office forecasts.
The coldest temperature recorded in January last year was -14C, in Dalwhinnie in the Highlands.
Southern areas to get brief respite before cold returns
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.
Further weather warnings could be issued for the start of next week.
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