Cold weather alert issued across England with warning for heavy snow
A cold weather alert has been issued for large parts of England, with the Met Office warning of heavy snow and health risks to vulnerable people.
The level 2 alert runs from 6pm on Sunday to 9am on Thursday across the North, Midlands, and central and eastern parts of England.
The Met Office says there is a 70% probability of severe cold weather, icy conditions and heavy snow, and has advised people in those regions to stock up on food and medicines to reduce the need to go outside.
London, the South and South West are covered by a level 1 alert – warning people to stay vigilant.
Scores of flood warnings remain in place following heavy rain that has left roads and fields underwater and threatened homes.
Further downpours are forecast over the weekend and it will remain windy – while turning colder – as the mild air of recent weeks slips away and colder northerly air moves in.
Showers will increasingly fall as snow, especially across northern areas.
Sky News weather presenter Jo Edwards said: “This current run of very lively weather is still being driven by an active jet stream and the next few days will see low pressure systems queuing up in the Atlantic to bring further rain and strong winds.
“However, temperatures trend downwards over the weekend with a greater risk of seeing wintry hazards such as snow and ice.
“Saturday will bring another deluge accompanied by strong winds. This time it’ll be the south coast that bears the brunt of the windy weather.
“Sunday’s showers are likely to be wintry in the north, even to lower levels.
“Looking ahead to Monday and Tuesday – spells of rain in the south are likely to be preceded by hill snow in higher areas.”
Flood waters around Tewkesbury Abbey in Gloucestershire
Flood defences are up on the River Severn at Ironbridge in Telford
There is also flooding in parts of Bath. Pic: Philip Matthewson
On Friday morning, there were 90 flood warnings and 166 alerts in force across England, stretching from Devon up to Newcastle and Cumbria.
There were eight flood warnings in Scotland and seven in Wales.
In York, levels on the River Ouse were about 3.8m above normal and predicted to rise further overnight.
Flood warnings were in place in England and Wales on Friday. Pic: Environment Agency
Shrewsbury in Shropshire was another of the areas affected, with the council saying flooding was disrupting traffic in the town centre.
Shaun Jenks said on Twitter there was “gridlock” in the town and that it was “now at the mercy of the River Severn” as flood defences were being put up.
Meanwhile in Keynsham, Somerset, fire crews had to rescue people from submerged vehicles on Old Bristol Road on Thursday.
And on Friday, the local football club posted images of their pitches looking like swimming pools and joked about needing a water polo team instead.
The Environment Agency’s Mark Garratt advised people to check their local flood risk, stay away from swollen rivers and not drive through floodwater.
Mr Garratt said: “The Environment Agency is monitoring flood levels, operating flood gates and barriers at locations across the country, and ensuring debris screens are clear from blockages to ensure communities are better protected.”
Andy Wall, from Natural Resources Wales, said there was “widespread travel disruption with flooding of low-lying land and roads”.
He added: “Given the rainfall being forecast by the Met Office into the weekend, we would expect to see rivers full again, and are quite likely to see flooding onto floodplains, farmland, minor roads, and we could see some property flooding, particularly in isolated communities in low-lying areas.”
Rod Dennis, from RAC Breakdown, said driving in floodwater was “never worth the risk” as it can endanger passengers and potentially “cause catastrophic damage” to vehicles.
“We encourage all drivers to turn around and find another route if they encounter deep standing water,” he said.
Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch has called on Sir Keir Starmer to sack Treasury minister Tulip Siddiq over allegations she lived in properties linked to allies of her aunt, Sheikh Hasina, the deposed prime minister of Bangladesh.
It comes after the current Bangladeshi leader, Muhammad Yunus, said London properties used by Ms Siddiq should be investigated.
He told the Sunday Times the properties should be handed back to his government if they were acquired through “plain robbery”.
Tory leader Ms Badenoch said: “It’s time for Keir Starmer to sack Tulip Siddiq.
“He appointed his personal friend as anti-corruption minister and she is accused herself of corruption.
“Now the government of Bangladesh is raising serious concerns about her links to the regime of Sheikh Hasina.”
Ms Siddiq insists she has “done nothing wrong”.
Her aunt was ousted from office in August following an uprising against her 20-year leadership and fled to India.
Ms Siddiq is also named with her aunt in Bangladesh court documents about meetings with the Russian government.
Tory leader Kemi Badenoch has called on Sir Keir to sack the minister
Read more from Sky News:
Ten Reform councillors quit in protest
Liz Truss sends cease and desist letter to Starmer
As economic secretary to the Treasury, Ms Siddiq is responsible for policy on both the City and tackling corruption.
She referred herself to the prime minister’s ethics watchdog on Monday following the reports about the properties.
On the same day, the prime minister said: “Tulip Siddiq has acted entirely properly by referring herself to the independent adviser, as she’s now done, and that’s why we brought into being the new code.
“It’s to allow ministers to ask the adviser to establish the facts, and yes, I’ve got confidence in her, and that’s the process that will now be happening.”
Police in Aberdeen have widened the search area for two sisters who disappeared four days ago in the city.
Eliza and Henrietta Huszti, both 32, were last seen on CCTV on Market Street after leaving their home on Tuesday at around 2.12am.
The sisters – who are part of a set of triplets and originally from Hungary – crossed the Victoria Bridge to the Torry area and turned right on to a footpath next to the River Dee.
Eliza and Henrietta Huszti were last seen on CCTV in Market Street. Pic: Police Scotland/PA
They headed in the direction of Aberdeen Boat Club but officers said there is no evidence to suggest the missing women left the immediate area.
Specialist search teams, police dogs and a marine unit have been trying to trace the pair.
The sisters crossed Victoria Bridge before walking along a footpath next to the River Dee
The pair were heading in the direction of Aberdeen Boat Club on the south side of the River Dee
Further searches are being carried out towards the Port of Aberdeen’s South Harbour and Duthie Park.
Police Scotland said it is liaising with authorities in Hungary to support the relatives of the two sisters.
Chief Inspector Darren Bruce said: “Eliza and Henrietta’s family are understandably extremely worried about them and we are working tirelessly to find them.
“We are seriously concerned about them and have significant resources dedicated to the inquiry.”
The sisters, from Aberdeen city centre, are described as slim with long brown hair.
Henrietta Huszti. Pic: Police Scotland
Eliza Huszti. Pic: Police Scotland
Officers have requested businesses in and around the South Esplanade and Menzies Road area to review their CCTV footage for the early morning of Tuesday 7 January.
Police added they are keen to hear from anyone with dashcam footage from that time.
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