UK weather: New yellow warnings for snow and ice in much of country including parts of Cumbria and Kent
There is a risk of snow and ice for parts of the UK today and going into the weekend, with the Met Office issuing new weather warnings.
The Met Office has issued new yellow weather warnings for snow and ice across northern Scotland and in parts of the country’s south.
The warnings also stretch down the eastern coast of England – from Newcastle-upon-Tyne to below London – and are in effect from 5pm tonight until 10am on Saturday morning.
Wintry showers will lead to some icy patches and snow cover, the forecaster said.
People could suffer injuries from slips and falls on icy surfaces, while motorists may face treacherous conditions and public transport services are likely to experience delays.
The new alerts have been issued after three previous yellow weather warnings were in place until 11am this morning.
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New warnings follow days of disruption
The bout of wintry weather made its presence felt on Thursday, with dozens of schools in Cornwall either partially or fully closed.
At the other end of England, several crashes were also reported on County Durham’s roads because of snow.
A widespread frost was forecast for this morning, with overnight temperatures plunging to -6C in southwest England, -8C in Wales, and -10C in Scotland.
Those freezing temperatures are likely to return this evening and into Saturday.
Health and transport risks ahead
The UK Health Security Agency has issued amber cold health alerts in five regions – the East Midlands, West Midlands, North West, North East, and Yorkshire and the Humber – until 5 December.
It fears there could be a “significant” impact across the health and social care sector.
According to the Met Office, the UK is likely to remain in a northeasterly airflow for several days to come, meaning it will stay cold well into next week.
National Highways is urging motorists to plan their journeys, keep an eye on the weather forecast, and take extra care on the roads.
Its national network manager Dale Hipkiss said: “Freezing conditions bring so many hazards such as snow and ice.
“Please take every possible step to understand your journey in advance and allow extra time when travelling.
“Keeping a kit of essential items like a torch and warm clothes in your vehicle can be vital.”