Up to 5cm (two inches approximately) of snow settled in some parts of the UK today - and more is expected this week - as temperatures continue to plunge across the nation.
The Met Office confirmed, by lunchtime today, places on higher ground, including in North Yorkshire, saw 5cm of snow after relentless flurries overnight and into the morning. Snow has also settled in and around Aviemore in Scottish Highlands and other parts of northeast England and northeast Scotland.
Yellow weather warnings have been issued by the Met Office today and Thursday for snow and ice and cover northeast England, East Yorkshire, North Yorkshire, Humberside and large swathes of Scotland. The Met Office added further warnings for Friday, and these cover areas as far south as Devon and Essex.
As the Mirror has reported, temperatures have dropped in the last few days and snow has been widely anticipated to fall today and for the rest of the week. It was believed to cause disruption on roads and on rail networks, and pavements and other surfaces became treacherous due to ice.
The Met Office has forecast average temperatures around or less than 2°C across northeast England, northwest England and Yorkshire and Humberside from today until Tuesday December 5.
Writing on its website about todays weather, the Met Office says: "Wintry showers will lead to ice forming on untreated surfaces during Tuesday evening and overnight into Wednesday morning. Snow will begin to accumulate, especially away from windward coasts, with 1-3cm possible. Higher routes of northeast Scotland may see up to 5cm of snow accumulate."
Southern areas may be affected, most likely on Thursday however, as the mercury will remain low for several days yet. Met Office Chief Meteorologist, Neil Armstrong, said: "There is a reducing chance of snow for southern areas of the UK, although there is still a chance we may see some sleety wintry showers over higher ground in areas such as Dartmoor or Exmoor. Northern and northeastern areas of the UK in the moist north / northeasterly airflow continue to see a chance of snow or sleet and yellow snow and ice National Severe Weather Warnings have been issued."
'I tried hack to defrost windscreen with an onion - my car stank but it's worth it'
Leaving the house in the winter months can be challenging enough without having to spend ages defrosting your car - so we decided to see if one of the cheapest hacks out there really does work.
The tedious task of having to defrost your car is the reason many people run late in the morning. Trying to scrape the ice off with a scraper and being tempted to go to extreme measures to pour warm water on it can be annoying. But there's one less extreme, albeit bizarre, hack that has been hailed as a game changer. And it involves using an onion.
To see if it was myth or the real deal, former Mirror reporter Danni Scott decided to give it a go herself last year to see if it really works. On a really cold night, before frost was predicted to hit, Danni rubbed the onion over her car window.
See her full results here
Odds on for white Christmas as temperatures expected to remain low
Ladbrokes' latest betting odds for snow to fall anywhere in the UK on Christmas Day are 1/2, and it says Edinburgh and Newcastle are the "most likely destinations to see snow".
But the Met Office urged people to take a prediction this far in advance with a "pinch of salt".
A forecaster said: "The definition of a white Christmas most widely used is for a single snowflake to be observed falling in the 24 hours of December 25.
"Therefore, snow falls 'somewhere' in the UK for more Christmas days than not. But widespread snow falling and lying on the ground is rather more infrequent."
Snow may fall on Saturday, early weather maps show
Forecasters looking ahead to the weekend believe it may snow again on Saturday, which could be the fourth consecutive day of the white stuff.
Charts by Ventusky show wintry showers move in from the southwest. Flurries could be the heaviest in and around Herefordshire and Powys on Saturday night.
Overnight, snow will move eastwards across the Home Counties, the heaviest around Berkshire, and London may see a dusting by Sunday morning. The band of low pressure moves eastwards throughout Sunday, leaving the UK after a dusting across Essex.
Up to 5cm of snow has settled in some parts of UK
Snow has been settling in northeastern parts of the UK, with 5cm overnight at Fylingdales in the North York Moors, 2cm at Aviemore in Scottish Highlands and 1 cm at Albemarle and Bingley.
The Met Office has confirmed these figures in a new blog post published in the last 15 minutes. It also states widespread overnight frost is expected across the UK all week.
"Much colder conditions are expected to affect the UK for the rest of this week and into the weekend, with daytime temperatures rooted in single figures and overnight temperatures falling well below freezing in many places," the weather service says.
RAC reminds Brits to prepare for further cold weather
RAC Breakdown spokesman Rod Dennis said: "We expect to see a sharp rise in breakdowns this week as cold weather is the nemesis of older car batteries. It exposes any weaknesses in battery health and leads to a huge jump in the number of cars that won't start.
"We urge every driver who has noticed their car is sluggish to start to get it checked by a reputable mobile mechanic or garage as soon as possible. Anyone who doesn't, risks their car letting them down just at the very moment they need it, whether they're heading to work or on the way to an important appointment.
"We also strongly recommend drivers pack some winter gear should their cars let them down and they find themselves stuck in sub-zero temperatures. Extra warm clothes, food and drink, plus a fully charged phone powerbank are all a must."
Snow expected tomorrow as far south as Devon
Up to 10cm of snow could fall over hilly ground in Devon tomorrow, the Met Office says.
Its yellow weather concerns snow and ice for the county and parts of Dorset. Snow appears to be the heaviest in and around Exeter, a graphic on X shows.
National Grid will pay Brits to reduce power usage tomorrow
The National Grid will pay some households money in exchange for reducing energy usage on Wednesday as bad weather approaches.
Eligible properties fitted with a smart-meter could be offered money or rewards for reducing their energy usage between 5pm and 6.30pm as part of their "blackout prevention scheme". It marks the first time the Live Demand Flexibility Service (DFS) has been activated this autumn and winter. It also coincides with a period of "much colder" weather that will see snow in some areas of Britain this week and temperatures as low as -8C.
For the full story,click here.
Check on pensioners and vulnerable relatives or friends - UK Health Security Agency
Dr Agostinho Sousa, Head of Extreme Events and Health Protection at UK Health Security Agency, said: "With a risk of widespread overnight frosts and some snow across the country this week, it’s important to check in on the wellbeing of those most vulnerable to the cold.
"Cold weather can have a serious impact on health, particularly older people, and those with pre-existing health conditions, as it increases the risks of heart attacks, strokes, and chest infections.
"If you have a pre-existing medical condition or are over the age of 65, it is important to try and heat the rooms where you spend most of your time in, such as your living room or bedroom."
The Met Office delivers update on this afternoon's weather for the whole country
Wintry showers will remain in the north and the east this afternoon, the Met Office says.
It will be cloudier and cold in the south while rain will hit the southwest of England by around 2pm and linger into the evening.
Pretty scenes in Scarborough could be mistaken for those in Scandinavia
Scarborough could easily be mistaken for Scandinavia by looking at this image.
The picturesque scene was captured this morning by an ITV camera operator, who shared the photo on X, formerly known as Twitter.
"Scarbor-navia," joked one man in the comments.
More snow expected tonight in northeast Scotland and northeast England
Communities already experiencing snow and expected to see a further dusting tonight, the Met Office says.
In a YouTube video, the service describes the nature of the wintry showers and how they are expected to develop this week.
Alex Deakin, meteorologist at the Met Office, says: "I think at low levels you're likely to get much more than a a covering a dusting, 1cm at most. On the hills, we could see 5-10cm of snow.
"That low pressure continues to drift its way south."
New weather warnings concern areas as far south as Devon
New weather warnings have been issued as forecasters look ahead to Friday.
The warnings for snow and ice concern parts of Devon, and the tip of Cornwall, as well as counties in the east, such as Essex, from tomorrow at 5pm to Friday morning.
"Further showers, wintry in places, leading to icy patches developing," the Met Office weather warning reads.
"Showers, wintry in places, will continue to affect northern and eastern Scotland and eastern England through Thursday evening and overnight into Friday morning. These are likely to fall onto frozen surfaces allowing icy patches to form. From approximately the Humber northwards, showers will often fall as snow inland, with up to 2cm possible in places, and perhaps as much as 5 cm over high ground. Further south, any snow accumulations are more likely to be restricted to higher ground."
For further information, visit this link.
Weather warning extended in Northern Ireland
A yellow weather warning for ice in Northern Ireland has been extended to cover County Antrim, County Armagh, County Down, County Londonderry and County Tyrone.
It remains in place until 10am tomorrow. The Met Office says
- Some injuries from slips and falls on icy surfaces are likely
- Probably some icy patches on some untreated roads, pavements and cycle paths
When is it too cold to walk your dog in winter and what temperature is dangerous?
Taking your dog out for a walk is important for your furry friend’s health. This is easy to do when the weather is bright and warm, but what happens in the winter?
Frosty winter weather gets to all of us, with many choosing to wrap up and stay in whenever they can help it. If it’s too cold for you, it should be no surprise that being out and about for a walk in the winter can be dangerous for your pooch, too. Here's everything you need to know about walking your dogs in the winter, including what temperature is too dangerous and ways to protect them from the cold.
For the full story, visit this link.
Cute pictures emerge of families enjoying the dusting
Families are out having fun in the snow this morning.
Six-month-old baby Finnley Daniels experienced snow for the first time, as he enjoyed a sledge along the snow covered streets of Cullercoats, North Tyneside.
Southern areas may see wintry showers on Thursday and/or Friday, forecasters say
The Met Office deputy chief meteorologist David Oliver warned of an uncertain weather period on Thursday and Friday for the southern half of England and Wales.
"The weather models are highlighting several possible solutions from very wet to mainly dry, with a mainly dry picture the most probable outcome at present," he said.
"However, some models include the prospect of an area of low pressure developing and moving in from the south or south-west.
"If this solution proves to be correct, we could see an area of warmer and moisture-laden air 'bumping' into the cold air further north. Along the boundary of the two air masses lies a zone across southern and central Britain where snowfall could develop fairly widely."
He added: "Snow in any affected area is unlikely to be anything more than transient and short-lived, but it could lead to small totals and some disruption over a few hours before melting."
Is the snow likely to settle significantly?
Snow is not expected to linger as ground temperatures usually remain relatively high at this time of year compared to late winter after the ground loses more of its warmth.
It is therefore unlikely to settle for any significant period of time in most places. It is, naturally, colder on higher ground though, especially in Scotland.
UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA)'s warnings for cold-health alerts
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has issued warnings of its own, with yellow and amber cold-health alerts for northern regions of England until Tuesday December 5.
The regions included in the amber alert are:
- North East
- North West
- Yorkshire and the Humber
The regions included in the yellow alert are:
- East Midlands
- West Midlands
The Met Office has forecast average temperatures around or less than 2°C during the time of the alert in areas under amber alert, with wintry showers, icy conditions, and some snow. It has warned residents to take care of the vulnerable.
Roads have been gritted across the regions affected by the yellow weather warnings
Roads have been treated across regions affected by the yellow weather warnings.
Durham County Council, for instance, reminded its residents mountaineous and rural routes were salted first thing.
There has been snow across the county today.
Is Republic of Ireland affected by the low pressure?
The Met Eireann has issued a yellow fog warning for large parts of the Republic of Ireland.
It is unlikely to snow there today, though, forecasters reckon.
"This morning will be cold and mainly dry with mist and some dense patches of fog in places. Frost and some icy patches in east Leinster and in Ulster. Mist, fog and frost will slowly clear and bright or sunny spells will develop," a spokesperson for The Met Eireann said.
No rail services affected significantly by the weather as yet
Despite snow falling - steadily in some places - no rail services are reporting significant delays or cancellations.
Those intending to travel should check their company's websites, such as that of the TransPennine Express and Great Northern.
The Met Office anticipates a chance of travel disruption due to the inclement weather.
Police across UK warn of road closures due to snow and ice
Police are warning drivers of road closures due to the weather across the country.
North Yorkshire Constabulary says the A169 in the North York Moors is shut. Motorists should find an alternative route.
Bitterly cold temperatures aren't going away anytime soon
Daytime temperatures are expected to drop to cold, single-digit figures this week.
Night temperatures are expected to stay below freezing for large parts of England and Scotland. There is more bad news for those missing the summer warmth as frigid temperatures will likely continue into next week.
Temperatures plummet across UK during the commute
Temperatures dropped to as low as -6C during the morning commute.
BBC Weather says there is a risk of ice and patchy freezing fog across the country throughout the day. It has been particularly bitter, though, across Cumbria and Lncashire in England, and Ayrshire
The Met Office reminds drivers what to do when its snowy and/or icy
The Met Office says drivers must consider the following during snowy weather;
- Avoid travel if possible
- If you must drive check the Highway Code for advice on driving in ice and snowy weather. A summary of the advice is: Take care around gritters. Don't be tempted to overtake. Slow down - it can take 10 times longer to stop in snowy or icy conditions, so allow extra room. Use the highest gear possible to avoid wheel spin. Manoeuvre gently and avoid harsh braking and acceleration. If you start to skid, gently ease off the accelerator and avoid braking. If braking is necessary, pump the brakes don't slam them on. If you get stuck, stay with your car and tie something brightly coloured to your aerial
- If you go outside wear several layers of clothing and keep dry to prevent loss of body heat. Watch out for signs of hypothermia - uncontrollable shivering, slow/slurred speech, memory lapse and drowsiness and frostbite - loss of feeling in and pale appearance of fingers, toes, nose and ear lobes. Keep moving your arms and legs to help the blood circulate
- Be aware of black ice. It isn't always visible and so can be an even greater hazard for both motorists and pedestrians. Black ice may be formed when rain or drizzle fall on a road surface which is at a temperature below zero
Weather warning remains in place in Northern Ireland
A yellow weather warning has been issued for County Antrim, County Londonderry and County Tyrone in Northern Ireland.
The Met Office says icy patches may cause difficult driving conditions this morning.
It warns;
- Some injuries from slips and falls on icy surfaces
- Probably some icy patches on some untreated roads, pavements and cycle paths
First clips of snowfall emerge on social media
People across northern parts of England and many areas of Scotland have woken to snow, and are sharing images and video online.
So too are authorities in attempts to warn people, particularly drivers, about the dangers of the weather. Some roads, particularly in rural areas, are untreated, which will make journeys even more difficult today.
This clip, shared by North East Traffic Live on X, shows cars navigate the busy A1300 in South Tyneside, Tyne and Wear, as snow falls.
Warning for commuters this morning due to ice
Icy patches and snow are possible, and may lead to hazardous conditions into Wednesday morning, the Met Office says.
It adds Brits should expect;
- Some injuries from slips and falls on icy surfaces
- Probably some icy patches on some untreated roads, pavements and cycle paths
- Some roads and railways likely to be affected with longer journey times by road, bus and train services