Amber snow warning for south west as temperatures to plunge to -20C overnight: UK weather live
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.An amber snow warning has been issued for south west England, with up to 10cm snowfall expected in the worst-affected areas.
It comes as London and the south coast braces for snow on Wednesday, with a Met Office yellow snow warning covering large areas of southern England until midnight.
Temperatures may plummet to -20C in the coming days, the BBC reported, as snow and ice warnings grip the UK prompting mass school closures and travel disruption.
Parts of the UK will see “negative double figures in the coldest areas during the next few nights and a few locations may see minimum temperatures as low as minus 16 Celsius,” the Met Office said.
Two other yellow weather warnings for snow and ice have been issued for northern parts of Northern Ireland, lasting until 11am on Thursday, and for northern Scotland until 23:59pm on Thursday.
The cold snap will 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.
Full list of school closures across UK as snow and ice warnings issued
Snow mapped: Where freezing weather and flooding will hit UK with more snow forecast
Deadly winter storm forces more than 12,000 flight cancellations and delays with more airport chaos expected
More than 100 flood warnings in force with more rain, sleet and snow on way
RAC say Monday was the busiest day for breakdowns this winter
Rod Dennis, RAC spokesperson, said: “Monday was our busiest day for breakdowns this winter so far, with our teams taking more calls from members than at any other point in the last 12 months. With cold conditions persisting, we expect today to be almost as busy with our patrols working incredibly hard to rescue our members and get people moving.
“Anyone unfortunate enough to break down should expect a longer wait than normal this week. It’s therefore more important than ever that drivers ensure they have an emergency breakdown kit in the boot – extra warm clothes including waterproofs, sturdy shoes, some food and drink and a fully charged power bank to keep a mobile phone charged up.
“With hundreds of flood warnings still in force, especially across central and southern parts of the UK, drivers need to remain vigilant. They should never drive through standing water unless they can be totally sure all of it is shallow, which can be impossible on roads that aren’t perfectly flat.
“If in any doubt about the water’s depth, turn around and find another safer route. We also urge everyone to obey road closures which are in place to keep them away from floodwater.”
Number of flu hospital admissions 3.6 times higher than last year, Northern Irish health minister says
The number of people admitted to hospital with flu in Northern Ireland this winter is 3.6 times higher than the previous year, Stormont’s Health Minister Mike Nesbitt has said.
Mr Nesbitt told the Health Committee that patients facing long waits in hospital emergency departments were often having to “surrender their dignity and privacy” and said staff were facing “moral injury”.
The minister announced that the flu vaccination programme would be extended to all those over the age of 50.
Officials from the Department of Health said it has been the worst year for flu cases since before the pandemic, but added they believed the number of hospital admissions had peaked.
Mr Nesbitt attended the emergency meeting of his oversight committee amid ongoing concerns about winter pressures on health services in Northern Ireland, particularly the amount of time people are having to wait at emergency departments in hospitals.
Mr Nesbitt began his evidence by paying tribute to health and social care staff who had worked over Christmas.
The minister said he was “looking for levers short term” to deal with hospital pressures, as well as offering a “blank page” for next winter.
Walking and cycling safely in icy conditions
People who need to walk or cycle in areas at risk of snow and ice are advised by the Met Office to take extra care and leave early if possible.
The forecaster issues the following advice for those leaving their homes:
- Plan to leave the house five minutes earlier than normal. Not needing to rush reduces your risk of accidents, slips and falls.
- If making a journey on foot, try to use pavements along main roads which are likely to be less slippery. Similarly, if cycling, try and stick to main roads which are more likely to have been treated.
- Take extra care when walking on untreated pavements and prepare for journeys by wearing footwear with a good grip.
- Where possible do not cycle on untreated roads as accidents are more likely.
In pictures: Britons brave the cold snap
Can and should you walk your dogs in the snow and freezing temperatures?
Temperatures are dropping across the UK with snow weather warnings in place.
Meteorologists had warned that temperatures overnight could have plummeted to as low as minus 8C as a week-long spell of wintry conditions hit the UK.
UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) cold weather health alerts for all of England remain in place ahead of a week of low temperatures.
With this news, many will be thinking about how this chilly weather may affect our pets.
It’s important to prepare our dogs, as well as ourselves, for this forecast.
Read the full report:
Can and should you walk your dogs in the snow and freezing temperatures?
Tips for how to look after your pets during the cold weather
Look out for the elderly, says Met Office
The Met Office has called on people in areas affected by snow and ice to look out for elderly neighbours.
Check to see if they “need any practical help” and that they are “well”, the forecaster says on its website.
It also advises making sure they have sufficient food supplies in case they cannot go out.
The Met adds: “Offer to clear their paths when you clear yours and spread salt. You can use ordinary table or dishwasher salt - a tablespoon for each square metre you clear.”
Tips for driving safely on ice
With parts of the country covered by snow and ice warnings, the Met hasissued advice for how to drive safely on ice.
Only drive if it is absolutely necessary, the forecaster says. If you must drive, follow this advice:
- Looking well ahead for potential hazards and keep your speed down.
- Accelerating, braking, steering and changing gear as smoothly as possible to reduce the risk of a skid.
- Using a higher gear may be more appropriate to help grip on packed ice.
- Using a higher gear helps manage engine power making it easier to find traction.
Woman visiting mother in Loughborough ‘trapped’ in home due to flooding
A 25-year-old woman visiting her mother’s home in Belton Road, Loughborough, Leicestershire, for Christmas said she did not expect to become “trapped” after the house was flooded on Tuesday.
Duaa Abdulal was stuck with her mother and younger sister upstairs while the ground floor of the home is filled with water.
She said the house was destroyed by flooding from Storm Henk in January last year and the family have not finished refurbishing since then.
Ms Abdulal said: “We’re stuck upstairs. Last year my family managed to leave the building.
“We managed to get everything upstairs when we got the flood warning.
“We’re still recovering from last year, actually, we haven’t finished refurbishing the house, so it’s stressful.”
Roads to be impacted by amber weather warning - National Highways
A number of roads are likely to be impacted by snow in south west England, which is partly covered by an amber weather warning for snow, National Highways says.
“Snow is likely to impact sections of the M5, A30, A38, A35 & the A303, especially around Okehampton, Bodmin, Blackdown Hills & Haldon Hill,” the organisation wrote on X.
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