Drivers have been warned of dangerous conditions on the roads due to ice today.
A huge ice warning covers most of the UK today, from Powys in Wales in the south to the Shetland Islands in the north, as temperatures fall to below freezing. It means there could be some difficult travel conditions today – on the roads as well as the railways and at airports – as people look to return home following the festive period.
A number of train routes were disrupted on Wednesday too due to flooding after torrential rain. Some Northern services, TransPennine Express services, Transport for Wales services, and South Western Railway services are also affected. Marco Petagna, a senior Met Office meteorologist, said: “Most roads will be treated, there’s a chance on untreated roads that ice will still be an issue. On Friday, I think we will see further snow and ice warnings issued.”
The Met Office advised Brits to allowing extra time for journeys on the road. Delays and diversions are likely, particularly on routes across Scotland and northern England today. Overnight ice could extend as south as far as the SouthWest of England into Friday, the weather service understands.
Snow is forecast on Saturday, Sunday and Monday, with a large yellow weather warning issued each day for the majority of England. Dan Holley, a deputy chief forecaster for the Met Office, said: “At this stage there is a fair amount of uncertainty over exactly which areas will see disruptive snow, with parts of Wales, northern England and the Midlands most likely to see some impacts.
“Here we could see 5cm or more in quite a few areas, and perhaps as much as 20-30cm over high ground, including Wales and the Pennines. Coupled with strengthening winds this could lead to drifting, making travelling conditions difficult over higher-level routes in particular.”
Before the snow arrives, Brits must contend with 16 flood warnings, the majority of which are across northern England. Properties near River Aire at Allerton Ings, West Yorkshire, are at risk of flooding as are homes near River Wiske at Kirby Wiske, North Yorkshire.
No further significant rainfall is expected for Thursday in the area, with water levels expected to begin falling in the coming hours. Britons, though, near waterways subject to flood warnings are advised to avoid using low-lying footpaths, or any bridges near local watercourses, and to not attempt to walk, drive or cycle through flood waters, with officials advising that if the area is flooded, then forget it.
Get email updates with the day’s biggest stories
