Brits face hazardous rush-hour commutes today following deluges of snow and the build-up of thick icy patches.
The Met Office has in place a yellow warning for ice for much of southern England, the Midlands and eastern Wales from 5pm on Tuesday to 10am on Wednesday. Five other weather warnings for the rest of the country, including most of the North Sea coastline, concern snow and ice.
Some schools are expected to shut again today following the closures of more than 200 on Tuesday due to the weather. The Mirror will continue to update its school closures coverage. Roads will be difficult to navigate, especially on higher ground, and trains may once again face be cancelled because of the snow and ice.
Stephen Dixon, a spokesman for the Met Office, previously said: “We’ve had a fairly mild November so far. So it’ll feel like that first taste of winter for many with that snow and ice risk layered on top… It only takes a couple of centimetres on lower ground to cause some level of travel disruption.”
Some 12cm of snow was recorded at Watnall, Nottinghamshire, on Tuesday morning as an Arctic airmass influenced the UK’s weather. Similar levels are expected in some areas today, it is believed.
Snowing heavily in Birmingham
One video posted on Facebook shows heavy flurries fall as far south as Birmingham this morning.
It is believed the clip was taken a short time ago near the Bull Ring shopping centre, which is in the city centre.
Operations at the city’s airport, only around eight mile east, do not appear to be affected by the weather.
Winter wonderland in South Yorkshire
Parts of South Yorkshire have seen fresh now this morning.
One man shared this glorious picture taken outside his home near Barnsley. It shows a crisp and evening covering of the white stuff.
West Mercia Police warns drrivers to ensure their windscreens are completely clear before setting off
West Mercia Police has reminded drivers to take the time to make sure their windscreens are completely clear before setting off.
The force says: “Clear any ice or snow, fully demist the inside of your windscreen and ensure any snow is removed from your roof.. Don’t forget to clear your lights, wing mirrors and side/back windows.”
National Rail explains how snow and ice can affect the railways
Snow and ice can affect the railways as follows:
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Snow built up on the tracks can block points (the equipment that allows trains to move between tracks
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Ice can coat the overhead power cables, preventing trains from drawing the power they need to run and leaving them stranded
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Icicles on tunnels, bridges and other structures can also damage trains and overhead power cables
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Where snow lies deeper than 30cm, trains can’t run safely unless they have been fitted with snow ploughs
National Express coach’s near miss in Nottingham
In Nottingham last night, a National Express coach went sliding backwards down a busy main road before being rescued by locals passing by on foot.
Incredible footage captured by a passerby shows the group of people running to the back of the bus to help push and prevent it from sliding completely off the road.
The bus, the National Express 450 route, had reportedly been travelling from London to Mansfield, Nottinghamshire, at the time of the incident.
Rail disruption at Northampton
Routes between London Euston and Northampton / Rugby / Coventry / Birmingham New Street and also between Northampton and Birmingham New Street / Crewe are affected by a points failure at Northampton this morning.
Services may be cancelled, or delayed by up to 30 minutes. Disruption is expected until 06.45. It is unclear if the weather played a part in this issue.
UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA)’s first amber cold weather health alert
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has issued the first amber cold weather health alert of the season, warning conditions could be dangerous for vulnerable people, including the elderly.
The amber warning covers the east and north of England, the Midlands, and Yorkshire and the Humber, with yellow alerts coming into place for the South East, South West and London until 6pm on Saturday.
Andd the Alzheimer’s Society warned that cold weather can be “particularly challenging” for people with dementia.
“Colder temperatures can be difficult for a person with dementia to adjust to, and they may not always be able to communicate that they are cold – or they may not even recognise it themselves,” the charity said.
Another charity, Asthma + Lung UK, urged those with lung conditions to be “extra careful”. The charity warned cold weather can trigger potentially life-threatening asthma attacks or “flare-ups” for people with other lung conditions.
Police in Northern Ireland tell motorists to ‘drive with extra caution’
A yellow warning for snow and ice has also been issued for Northern Ireland from 6pm on Tuesday to 10am on Wednesday, with a separate warning also in place across most of Wales and parts of the West Midlands until 10am on Wednesday.
Police in Northern Ireland urged those on the roads to “drive with extra caution while we experience the freezing temperatures as forecast”.
Heavy snow on the glenshane pass at present. @angie_weather @barrabest @bbcniweather @WeatherCee @Louise_utv @WeatherAisling pic.twitter.com/2BBEWndgGw
— Colleen Webb (@ColleenWebb0) November 19, 2024
Roads closed in Scotland due to the weather
The B9176 northbound is closed due to adverse weather conditions between Strathy in the Scottish Highlands and the A836 for Fearn Lodge.
And the A941 High Street is closed both ways due to snow from Fogwatt in Moray to Rothes, which is near Elgin.
The A82 is closed both ways due to jackknifed lorry from the Inverness turn off at Drumnadrochit to the Fort William turn off. Driving conditions on this stretch of road have been hazardous overnight so it is thought this may have played a factor in the smash.
‘Winter hazards are likely through much of this week’ – Met Office
Met Office Chief Meteorologist Neil Armstrong said: “With cold Arctic air firmly in place over the UK, continued winter hazards are likely through much of this week, with further updates to warnings likely in the coming days.
“The current focus for upcoming snow and ice risk is from later on Tuesday and overnight into Wednesday, with snow showers likely moving in off windward coasts in the north and east, as well as drifting into parts of Northern Ireland and Wales.
“In excess of 10cm of snow is possible over higher ground within the warning areas, with 1-2cm possibly settling at lower levels, which has the potential to lead to some travel disruption. Ice is an additional hazard and is likely to form quickly on untreated surfaces.”
National Rail confirm train cancellations
The first few train cancellations have been confirmed – and both snow and ice are to blame.
Buses replace trains between Llandudno and Blaenau Ffestiniog in north Wales until approximately 07:30, National Rail says.
“Severe weather means that service between Llandudno and Blaenau Ffestiniog has been suspended,” the website reads.
Met Office identifies when Arctic cold snap will finally end but more misery is coming
Forecasters at the Met Office have identified when the Arctic cold snap will end – but heavy rain will replace the weather.
The UK has endured sub-zero temperatures this week, with a low of -11.2°C at Braemar in Aberdeenshire recorded on Tuesday as snow finally arrived across the country. Some 12cm of snow fell at Watnall, Nottinghamshire and more is expected on Wednesday, as far south as Suffolk and Carmarthenshire.
But forecasters understand the Arctic airmass will finally subside on Saturday, and temperatures will rise again. However, it means the large swathes of the UK will instead experience downpours, the heaviest of which are feared across north Wales, Merseyside, Greater Manchester and parts of West Yorkshire.
Sunday’s outlook looks just as bleak with South West of England expected to face fierce downpours. Temperatures, though, should reach 16C in the East of England on Sunday, a significant jump from today’s freezing conditions.
Met Office identifies when Arctic cold snap will finally end but more misery is coming
Snow and ice set to cause travel chaos during morning rush hour across UK
Commuters face widespread travel disruption on Wednesday morning after parts of the UK saw heavy snowfall and ice.
The Met Office put in place a yellow warning for ice for much of southern England, the Midlands and eastern Wales from 5pm on Tuesday to 10am on Wednesday.
Several other warnings for snow and ice have been in force across the UK, with the Met Office advising that vehicles could be stranded, power cuts may occur and rural areas could be cut off.
Snow and ice set to cause travel chaos during morning rush hour across UK
Travel chaos feared again today after Tuesday’s mayhem
Due to the snowfall on Tuesday, there were disruption to train services and roads were dangerous and busy.
A Stagecoach bus in Aberdeenshire toppled onto its side with a passenger on board in icy conditions.
Train services, including some operated by Northern Rail, were scrapped.
It is thought similar chaos could happen today as ice presents itself as the main hazard for commuters.
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