UK weather live: Met Office warns of snow and ice as commuters set for more travel chaos
Over 140 schools are shut across affected areas in Wales
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Your support makes all the difference.Commuters across the UK could face more travel chaos this morning as the Met Office warned of snowy and icy conditions across the country.
A yellow ice warning covering southern England, the Midlands and eastern Wales remains in effect until 10am today, with the forecaster advising vehicles could be stranded and power cuts widespread.
Continued wintry hazards are likely throughout the week, with roads becoming icy if untreated, the forecaster added.
Snow showers, some accompanied by lightning, began last evening and are expected to persist this morning. Accumulations may exceed 10cm over higher ground, with up to 20cm predicted in mountainous areas of Scotland by the end of the week.
“This will feel like the first taste of winter for many, with the snow and ice risks layered on top,” said Met Office spokesperson Stephen Dixon, noting that even a few centimetres of snow on lower ground can disrupt travel.
On Tuesday, the cold weather led to closure of over 140 schools mid, north-east, and south-east Wales, affecting areas such as Wrexham, Powys, Denbighshire, Flintshire, Torfaen, and Blaenau Gwent.
Tips for driving in icy conditions
It is safer not to drive in heavy snow and icy conditions but if you absolutely must drive, keep yourself and others safe by:
- Using dipped headlights
- Accelerate gently, use low revs and change to higher gears as quickly as possible
- Starting in second gear will help with wheel slip
- Maintain a safe and steady speed. Keep your distance from other vehicles
- Keep a constant speed up hills. Leave plenty of room between cars
- Use a low gear to go down hill and try to avoid braking unless necessary
- Steer into skids. Do not take your hands of the wheel or slam on the brakes
Winter hazards likely throughout week, Met Office warns
Met Office Chief Meteorologist Neil Armstrong said: “With cold Arctic air firmly in place over the UK, continued winter hazards are likely through much of this week, with further updates to warnings likely in the coming days.
“The current focus for upcoming snow and ice risk is from later on Tuesday and overnight into Wednesday, with snow showers likely moving in off windward coasts in the north and east, as well as drifting into parts of Northern Ireland and Wales.
“In excess of 10cm of snow is possible over higher ground within the warning areas, with 1-2cm possibly settling at lower levels, which has the potential to lead to some travel disruption. Ice is an additional hazard and is likely to form quickly on untreated surfaces.”
Pictured: Aerial views of snow-covered towns and villages
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