UK weather live: Snow warning for London as UK braces for temperatures to plummet to -20C
The warning for snow comes amid continued weather disruption at airports and schools across the UK
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Your support makes all the difference.A weather warning for snow has been issued for London as the UK is set to see temperatures plunge to as low as -20C this week.
The Met Office has said up to two inches of snow could fall in the south of England on Wednesday, including the capital.
Weather warnings for snow and ice are also in place in Northern Ireland and western and northern Scotland until noon on Wednesday.
The cold snap is set to continue until the end of this week, with amber health alerts from the UK Health Security Agency in place across England until midday on Sunday.
The bad weather has continued to cause travel chaos on Tuesday, with Liverpool John Lennon Airport and Aberdeen Airport both closed in the morning due to the snow.
And there are still hundreds of flood alerts and warnings across the country thanks to rain and melting snow. As of Tuesday lunchtime, the Environment Agency had one danger-to-life flood warning, 133 flood warnings and 217 flood alerts in place across England.
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Cold snap expected in Ireland
Ireland has upgraded its weather warning amid an “extremely cold” snap across the island.
Temperatures are expected to plummet to as low as minus 8C while a Status Orange low temperature and ice warning was announced for almost all of the Republic of Ireland.
Irish national weather agency Met Eireann said the advisory applies between 8pm on Tuesday and 10am on Wednesday, applying nationwide except for Donegal, Dublin, Louth and Wexford.
This will be followed by a further warning for every county except for Donegal between 6pm Wednesday and 11am Thursday.
It means that there will be extremely cold nights with widespread frost, ice and lying snow.
Yellow snow and ice warning issued over Northern Ireland
The Met Office has issued a yellow warning until midday on Wednesday covering Northern Ireland with snow and icy patches leading to some disruption to travel.
The forecaster warned there will be slippy patches with roads and railways likely to be affected with longer journey times by road, bus and train services.
Ambulance service declares critical incident for first time ever
A critical incident has been declared by East Midlands Ambulance (EMAS ) for the first time ever, after a combination of significant patient demand, pressure within local hospitals, and flooding across the East Midlands.
Declaring a critical incident means:
- Rapid release of ambulances from hospital departments. We appreciate this will be challenging for hospital colleagues however, we need to ensure we have emergency ambulances available to respond to people waiting in the community where life is at threat.
- From the morning, local NHS Clinical Hubs to take Category 3 calls (see additional notes) from EMAS and provide support and/or a local alternative NHS pathway for these patient. This allows EMAS to focus on responding to Category 1 (life-threatening) and Category 2 (serious) calls.
- All Category 3 calls (see additional information below) from NHS 111 receive a clinical validation from DHU Healthcare (the provider of 111 services) before it is sent for an ambulance.
In pictures: Frosty Liverpool as John Lennon airport suspends flights
Aberdeen airport pauses flights as crew work to de-ice runway
Hundreds of passengers have had their flights cancelled or delayed due to ongoing issues at Aberdeen Airport.
A spokesman posted on X: “Our teams have been working throughout the night to clear snow and de-ice the airfield.
“Due to the ongoing freezing conditions it’s been necessary to pause operations. Flights will resume when it is safe to do so.”
190 flood warnings and 292 alerts issued
At 8.10am on Tuesday, the Environment Agency has 190 flood warnings, meaning flooding is expected, and 292 flood alerts, meaning flooding is possible, active across England.
National Resources Wales has 15 flood alerts in place.
Large-scale evacuation with River Soar expected to burst banks
The Environment Agency has a severe flood warning – indicating a “danger to life” – in place for the River Soar at caravan parks near Barrow upon Soar in Leicestershire.
It said: “This severe warning has been issued because large-scale evacuation is required.
“River levels are rising at the Pillings Lock river gauge as a result of heavy rainfall and rapid snowmelt.
“Consequently, flooding of properties is expected to continue.
“Areas most at risk are Proctor’s Pleasure Park near Barrow upon Soar.”
It added: “Please follow advice from emergency services and call 999 if in immediate danger.”
National Highways said 3 stretches of A-roads across England are closed due to snow and flooding
The A1 in Lincolnshire is closed in both directions between the B6326 near Newark-on-Trent and the B1174 near Grantham because of “extensive flooding”.
The A628 Woodhead Pass in South Yorkshire/Derbyshire is shut in both directions between the A616 for Flouch and the A57 for Hollingworth because of snow.
The A34 in Berkshire is closed southbound from the A339 for Donnington and the A4 for Newbury to allow emergency barrier repairs. It is not known if this is weather-related.
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