Cold weather health alerts upgraded as icy blast sweeps UK
Cold weather alerts for parts of Britain were upgraded on Wednesday as millions were warned to brace themselves for snow and ice amid plummeting temperatures.
The UK Health Security Agency upgraded a number of alerts from yellow to amber.
The North East, North West and Yorkshire and the Humber are now under the higher alerts.
Yellow cold-health alerts are also in place for the East Midlands and West Midlands. All the warnings last until December 5.
It comes as the UK and Ireland cops a blast of cold air from northern Scandinavia, resulting in a cold snap for many.
Daytime temperatures are expected to drop to cold, single-digit figures this week.
Night temperatures are expected to stay below freezing for large parts of England and Scotland.
There is more bad news for those missing the summer warmth as frigid temperatures will likely continue into next week.
There are two yellow weather warnings in place for the United Kingdom, one for snow and ice until 11am on Wednesday for parts of northern and eastern Scotland, north-east England and Yorkshire, and a second set until 11am on Thursday for eastern Scotland and north-east England down to North Yorkshire.
Snow has already fallen in North Yorkshire, with police taking to social media to make motorists aware of road closures on the A169.
Traffic Alert ⚠️
The A169 is currently closed at White Way Heads / Saltergate Moor near to RAF Fylingdales because of snow and ice.
The road closure is expected to be in place overnight. Motorists who are travelling between Pickering and Whitby should use an alternative route. pic.twitter.com/mdb2Ruetk2[1]
— North Yorkshire Police (@NYorksPolice) November 28, 2023[2]
People living in those areas are advised to expect showers throughout Wednesday morning that will likely see ice form on untreated surfaces, which may make some roads and pathways hazardous and slippery.
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Snow is also expected, especially for people in places away from windward coasts, with the Met Office predicting up to three centimetres of snow will fall.
The Met Eireann has issued a yellow fog warning for large parts of the Republic of Ireland and the Met has also issued a yellow warning for Northern Ireland until 10am with people urged to be wary of icy conditions.
In Scotland, the Met warns that people may see up to five centimetres of snowfall in higher parts of the northeastern parts of the nation.
Some roads and rail services are likely to be impacted, with Britons warned to prepare for longer or delayed journey times on roadways, railways, and public transport.
Those unable to stay home as conditions turn icy and slippery are encouraged to plan their journeys using the relevant traffic websites for Scotland, England, Wales, and Northern Ireland.
Met Office deputy chief meteorologist David Oliver warned of an uncertain weather period on Thursday and Friday for the southern half of England and Wales.
⚠️Fog Yellow Warning⚠️
🌁Carlow, Dublin, Kildare, Laois, Longford, Louth, Meath, Offaly, Westmeath, Wicklow, Cavan, Monaghan, Leitrim, Roscommon🌫️
⚠️Localised dense patches of fog making for difficult or dangerous driving conditions
⏳05:31 Wed 29/11/23 to 11:00 Wed 29/11/23 pic.twitter.com/xRPmOaJlMX[3]
— Met Éireann (@MetEireann) November 29, 2023[4]
“The weather models are highlighting several possible solutions from very wet to mainly dry, with a mainly dry picture the most probable outcome at present,” he said.
“However, some models include the prospect of an area of low pressure developing and moving in from the south or south-west.
“If this solution proves to be correct, we could see an area of warmer and moisture-laden air ‘bumping’ into the cold air further north. Along the boundary of the two air masses lies a zone across southern and central Britain where snowfall could develop fairly widely.”
He added: “Snow in any affected area is unlikely to be anything more than transient and short-lived, but it could lead to small totals and some disruption over a few hours before melting.”
Snow is not expected to linger as ground temperatures usually remain relatively high at this time of year compared to late winter after the ground loses more of its warmth.
References
- ^ pic.twitter.com/mdb2Ruetk2 (t.co)
- ^ November 28, 2023 (twitter.com)
- ^ pic.twitter.com/xRPmOaJlMX (t.co)
- ^ November 29, 2023 (twitter.com)