UK weather live: Heavy snow warnings as 40cm forecast while temperatures of -9C to bring rare 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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Your support makes all the difference.Heavy snow warnings have been issued across the UK, as a cold blast is set to sweep the country over the weekend, bringing sub-zero temperatures, health risks and disruption.
An amber warning for snow and rare freezing rain covering most of Wales and central England is in place from 6pm on Saturday to midday on Sunday, the Met Office said.
Another amber snow alert will then be 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.
Seven yellow weather warnings for snow, ice or rain have also been issued across the UK, covering different periods of time over the weekend and into Monday.
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) has issued a Cold-Health Alert (CHA), warning of an “increase in risk to health”.
The Met Office also warned of likely disruption caused by the weather, including stranded vehicles on the roads, delayed or cancelled rail and air travel, power cuts, and rural communities getting cut off.
Met Office’s forecast for this evening as disruption likely
The Met Office has forecast rain, sleet and snow will move northeastwards across much of the UK this evening.
The weather service warned disruption is likely in places.
Public urged to take ‘extra care’ as Ireland braces for severe weather
The public has been urged to take extra care this weekend following warnings of a “multi-hazard weather event” due to hit Ireland on Saturday.
It comes as the Government’s national emergency co-ordination group (NECG) met on Saturday to prepare for the severe weather forecast across the country.
Taoiseach Simon Harris was also briefed by the emergency director about their plans.
Snow, ice, heavy rain and sleet are to sweep over the island of Ireland as temperatures continue to plummet.
Amber snow and ice warnings in place in two hours’ time
Amber snow and ice warnings will be in place in two hours’ time.
The Met Office has issued the weather warnings for large parts of England and Wales from 6pm this evening through into Sunday.
RSPCA warns householders that salt and antifreeze kill pets
The RSPCA has warned householders that antifreeze and salt can be poisonous to pets – as snow and freezing temperatures are forecast to sweep the UK this weekend.
Amber severe weather warnings for ice and snow have been issued for parts of England and Wales amid a cold snap gripping the country.
Most of the Midlands, Wales, and parts of northern England will be covered by an amber warning for snow and ice from 6pm on Saturday until noon on Sunday.
My colleague Jane Dalton reports:
RSPCA warns that salt and antifreeze kill pets – as snow and ice forecast
Animal charity says pets die needlessly every year from spills and leaks
Horse racing at Sandown Park in Surrey 'abandoned due to frozen ground’
Horse racing at Sandown Park in Surrey was abandoned on Saturday, with the racecourse saying the weather meant there “would not be sufficient time for the ground to become raceable”.
In a statement posted on social media, the racecourse added: “Following this morning’s inspection, sadly racing today has been abandoned due to frozen ground.”
Met Office forecasts cold conditions across UK this afternoon including snow
The Met Office has forecast cold conditions across the UK this afternoon, including the arrival of snow in some parts.
In a post on X, the weather service said: “Most places dry and cold this afternoon, with freezing fog patches persisting across Northern Ireland.
“Wintry showers in the north and west, most frequent in the far north.
“Thicker cloud with rain, sleet and snow arriving into southwest England and Wales.”
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.
Read the full story here:
Emergency team meeting as country braces for ‘multi-hazard weather event’
Forecasters have warned that it will lead to very difficult travelling conditions.
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