London, UK: The United Kingdom is facing a severe winter onslaught, with more than 30 schools in Cornwall shutting their doors or delaying opening times due to hazardous conditions.
Simultaneously, County Durham reported road crashes resulting from snowy conditions.
Overnight temperatures from Thursday into Friday reached bone-chilling lows, with some of the coldest places registering:
England: Shap, Cumbria at -9.4°C
Scotland: Eskdalemuir, Dumfries and Galloway at -8°C
Northern Ireland: Katesbridge, Co Down at -6.2°C
Wales: Whitchurch, Pembrokeshire at -6°C
Yellow warnings for ice in Northern Ireland and southwest England concluded at 10:00, but central and southeastern areas faced an additional challenge with freezing fog on Friday morning.
Yellow warnings from the Met Office signify hazardous conditions, anticipating disruptions on roads and railways, along with icy patches on pavements.
Daytime temperatures are expected to hover barely above 0°C in many areas. As evening approaches, clear skies and light winds will prompt a swift drop well below freezing.
The Met Office warns of 2 to 5cm of snow in areas 100m to 200m above sea level, especially in Northern Ireland and western Scotland. Friday night is poised to be even colder, with temperatures widely ranging from -4°C to -8°C, potentially plummeting to -10°C in northeastern Scotland by Saturday morning.
Wintry showers along North Sea coasts will persist, but the weekend brings the prospect of rain, sleet, and snow showers advancing from the west. Significant snowfall may blanket Wales, the Midlands, and parts of northern England by Sunday morning, even at lower elevations.
In a separate development, the UK Health Security Agency issued an amber cold-health alert for the health sector in the northern regions of England. This alert signifies that “significant impacts are probable,” with potential risks to the entire population.
The amber alert spans the East Midlands, West Midlands, North West, North East, Yorkshire, and the Humber regions until December 5.
As the nation grapples with this winter onslaught, authorities urge residents to stay informed, take necessary precautions, and adhere to safety guidelines.
Travellers are advised to exercise caution on icy roads, and residents are encouraged to check on vulnerable neighbours, ensuring they have the support they need during this challenging weather period.
The situation will continue to be monitored, and further updates from the Met Office are anticipated as the cold spell persists.
This article was created using automation technology and was thoroughly edited and fact-checked by one of our editorial staff members
