Snow and ice warnings extended across UK as country braces for big freeze

Yellow weather warnings for snow and ice are in place across the UK from today until the end of this week.

Snow is set to hit parts of Scotland today before spreading south next week as cold air from the Arctic brings freezing temperatures.

The Met Office issued new snow and ice warnings covering the whole of Scotland and parts of Wales and England, including Newcastle, Leeds and Manchester, on Tuesday. The whole of Northern Ireland is also under a yellow warning.

Yellow warnings also cover northern Scotland, parts of Northern Ireland and parts of the northwest of England and Wales on Wednesday and Thursday.

Across the days there are warnings for possible travel delays on roads stranding some vehicles and passengers, the occurrence of power cuts and possible delays or cancellations to rail and air travel.

The Met Office says parts of northern Scotland could see around 10cm of snow over the two days.

Up to 5cm of snow is expected in places by the end of Sunday, causing disruption on the roads and railways.

A yellow cold-health alert remains for the North East of England, Yorkshire and the Humber, East of England, South East of England and London for much of the incoming week.

Check the five-day forecast where you are

Met Office meteorologist Honor Criswick said: “It is going to be feeling pretty chilly in the north of Scotland.

“Throughout the week we are going to see more and more snow showers and warnings, towards the end of the week we will probably see an accumulation.

“The warning is of 2cm to 5cm of snow, throughout the week there is the possibility we will see a build-up of snow.”

Read more:
Why forecasting snow in the UK is a big challenge
Adam Boulton: Post Office hero should refuse a ‘tainted’ honour

He added: “On Tuesday, we are going to see more rain turning to snow moving east across the country, with more prolonged snow and more accumulations at low levels in the north of Scotland and northern England.

“That’s where we could see 5cm or 10cm of snow in low-lying areas.

“There’s a very low chance the south might see a bit of it.”

Earlier this month, Storm Henk caused widespread flooding and two deaths, and more than 170 flood warnings remain in place.