UK weather: Britain braces for more snow as Experts warn of icy roads

Drivers across Britain faced black ice on the roads today as forecasters warned more rain and sleet is on the way after overnight snow reached as far south as Kent, with lows plunging beyond -10C (14F). 

The Met Office has issued another weather warning for ice across most of the country – from 6pm tonight until 11am tomorrow – amid an alert for further snow above 650ft (200m) and told motorists to take extra care. 

The first heavy snowfall of winter caused at least 125 crashes in Scotland in one day, while cars also came off roads in the likes of South Wales and Derbyshire as pedestrians were warned to take care to avoid slipping over on ice.

Today is expected to be the chilliest day of the week for many areas, with parts of northern England waking up to temperatures of -6C (21F) and coastal areas set for more snow and sleet showers throughout the day.

The lowest temperature recorded overnight into this morning was -10.2C (13.7F) in Braemar, Aberdeenshire – just shy of the coldest night of winter so far recorded last Friday at -10.8C (13F) in the same village.  

As motorists took to Twitter today to tell of black ice on the roads as they drove to work, forecasters warned of more snow towards the weekend – bringing further sub-zero temperatures and lows of -4C (25F) in Scotland. 

A man walks his dog through a park today in High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, as some areas see their first snow of the year

Snow covers fields below the Study Pike monument today near Todmorden in Calderdale, West Yorkshire

Snow covers fields below the Study Pike monument today near Todmorden in Calderdale, West Yorkshire

A blanket of snow covers the rooftops of Horwich in Greater Manchester, as seen from Winter Hill this morning

A blanket of snow covers the rooftops of Horwich in Greater Manchester, as seen from Winter Hill this morning

A cyclist braves the cold by riding through a frosty Richmond Park in South West London this morning

A cyclist braves the cold by riding through a frosty Richmond Park in South West London this morning

A dog walker makes her way through the snow with her pets at Clayfield Copse in Berkshire on a cold morning today

A dog walker makes her way through the snow with her pets at Clayfield Copse in Berkshire on a cold morning today

People make their way along the footpath to Pen-y-fan today after heavy snowfall over the Brecon Beacons in South Wales

People make their way along the footpath to Pen-y-fan today after heavy snowfall over the Brecon Beacons in South Wales

A man walks across snow-covered ground on Wimbledon Common in South West London this morning

A man walks across snow-covered ground on Wimbledon Common in South West London this morning

The Met Office said this morning that Northern Ireland saw some ‘significant accumulations’ of snow yesterday which later pushed across Wales, central parts of England and towards the South East.

Parts of Britain saw about 1in (2.5cm) fall over the hills, but a dusting also gathered at lower levels in many areas. Forecasters said today will be one of the coldest days of the week, but ‘with a lot of sunshine to compensate’.

Some coastal showers will continue overnight while many central and eastern areas are expected to be clear, cold and frosty. It will warm slightly towards the end of the week, but more cold weather is set for the weekend.  

Met Office meteorologist Sophie Yeomans said: ‘Most of the country is in the colder and showery air. The snow is mainly on the hills, while for most places the showers are falling as rain and maybe a bit of sleet.’

‘The weather front that has gone through has left rain on the ground, so as the air temperatures start to drop ground temperatures will be below zero. That’s giving the risk of ice across most of the UK.  

A graphic showing temperatures across the UK at 8am today (left) and the extent of ice warnings across the country 

This graphic shows how a movement of the Atlantic jet stream has changed the outlook for Britain for the end of this week 

This graphic shows how a movement of the Atlantic jet stream has changed the outlook for Britain for the end of this week 

‘So look out for any areas where the surfaces haven’t been treated. On untreated surfaces there’s a risk of slips and falls. There’s also a risk of some icy surfaces on any untreated roads.’ 

The first heavy snowfall of winter caused at least 125 crashes in Scotland yesterday, police said. The A82 was closed for more than two hours after an accident involving two HGVs and a third vehicle around Glencoe, Argyll.

On the A83, an accident between Glenbarr and Campbeltown, Argyll, caused delays yesterday morning, with white-out conditions at the Rest and Be Thankful.

A multi-vehicle collision blocked the A92 between Glenrothes and Kirkcaldy in Fife in the afternoon, while the A720 Edinburgh bypass was closed west-bound at Baberton after a morning rush hour pile-up.

In Motherwell, Lanarkshire, a lorry overturned near the Flemington roundabout, while in Glasgow, a bus slid on to the pavement in Knightswood. No one was injured. 

Heavy snow has settled over and around Llwyn-on Reservoir today in Brecon Beacons in South Wales

Heavy snow has settled over and around Llwyn-on Reservoir today in Brecon Beacons in South Wales

Members of the Serpentine Swimming Club take a early morning swim in the Serpentine Lido at Hyde Park in London today

A woman feels the cold in Hyde Park today

Members of the Serpentine Swimming Club take a early morning swim in the Serpentine Lido at Hyde Park in London today

Cross-country skiers take on the pristine snow in Teesdale, County Durham, under the crystal clear skies today

Cross-country skiers take on the pristine snow in Teesdale, County Durham, under the crystal clear skies today

Sheep graze in a snow covered field near Todmorden in the Upper Calder Valley in Calderdale, West Yorkshire, today

Sheep graze in a snow covered field near Todmorden in the Upper Calder Valley in Calderdale, West Yorkshire, today

A couple walk through a park in High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, today after it received a beautiful covering of snow

A couple walk through a park in High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, today after it received a beautiful covering of snow

A dog walker makes her way along the Long Walk near Windsor Castle in Berkshire today following snowfall

A dog walker makes her way along the Long Walk near Windsor Castle in Berkshire today following snowfall

Rail services were also severely disrupted yesterday after a train lost power at Edinburgh’s Haymarket station just before 7am.

The 5.37am Glasgow Hyndland to Edinburgh Waverley service was delayed until around 8am and this slowed down other routes to the capital. A signal failure at Anderston in Glasgow also affected morning services. 

A ScotRail Alliance spokesman said: ‘We’re sorry to customers who experienced disruption.’ At airports, the morning flight from Stornoway to Benbecula was cancelled, with delays to flights into Glasgow and Edinburgh.

In Sutherland, schools in Kinlochbervie and Durness were closed, while a Coastguard helicopter had to be called in to get a patient from Lochinver to Raigmore Hospital in Inverness. The woman’s condition is unknown. 

Further frosts are expected over the coming nights, while daytimes will also continue to feel very cold, with more showers expected today. Tomorrow is expected to be mostly dry and sunny.

But by tomorrow evening, forecasters say a warm front is expected to arrive, bringing ‘rain spreading erratically eastwards, perhaps preceded by snow’.  

Snow blankets either side of the M62 in Rishworth, West Yorkshire, after heavy snowfall overnight and into this morning

Snow blankets either side of the M62 in Rishworth, West Yorkshire, after heavy snowfall overnight and into this morning

The University of Bolton Stadium protrudes through the fog and snow in Horwich, Greater Manchester, this morning

The University of Bolton Stadium protrudes through the fog and snow in Horwich, Greater Manchester, this morning

A man prepares to take a early morning swim at Hyde Park in London today despite the very cold temperatures

A man prepares to take a early morning swim at Hyde Park in London today despite the very cold temperatures

A beautiful scene of snow-covered trees at Clayfield Copse in Berkshire amid sub-zero temperatures this morning

A beautiful scene of snow-covered trees at Clayfield Copse in Berkshire amid sub-zero temperatures this morning

A woman takes a picture of the snow as she walks her dog while riding her bike at Wimbledon Common in London today

A woman takes a picture of the snow as she walks her dog while riding her bike at Wimbledon Common in London today

A dog walker's pets look very much at home at a snow-covered Clayfield Copse in Berkshire this morning

A dog walker’s pets look very much at home at a snow-covered Clayfield Copse in Berkshire this morning

South Wales police tweeted this photograph of an overturned car yesterday, saying: 'Luckily this driver was not injured'

South Wales police tweeted this photograph of an overturned car yesterday, saying: ‘Luckily this driver was not injured’

Friday is set to be unsettled, but rain and hill snow is set to clear south-eastwards on Saturday, followed by ‘brighter and showery’ weather.

‘Severe’ cold weather alert issued for England

The Met Office and Public Health England have issued a series of cold weathe alerts for the country this week.

London and the South West are under ‘Level 1 – winter preparedness and action’, the South East and Midlands faces a warning for ‘Level 2 – alert and readiness’, while the North is under ‘Level 3 – severe weather action’. 

Forecasters say there is a 90 per cent chance of severe cold weather, icy conditions and mostly hill snow until 9am on Friday in parts of England.

They say the weather could increase the health risks to vulnerable patients and disrupt the delivery of services.  

The cold weather warning map shows green for 'Level 1 - winter preparedness and action', yellow for 'Level 2 - alert and readiness', and orange for 'Level 3 - severe weather action'

The cold weather warning map shows green for ‘Level 1 – winter preparedness and action’, yellow for ‘Level 2 – alert and readiness’, and orange for ‘Level 3 – severe weather action’

But it is set to remain very cold, some showers being wintry even at low levels, and gale force winds on northern and western coasts.

A Met Office spokesman added: ‘The final few days of January are likely to remain rather unsettled with brisk winds, outbreaks of rain and hill snow, as well as some showery interludes in between.

‘It will remain cold for most with widespread overnight frosts as well as the risk of ice.

‘Snow remains a possibility to lower levels, particularly in the north.’ Very cold conditions are expected to continue through mid-February ‘with a greater probability of northerly or easterly winds’.

The Met Office’s long-range forecast states: ‘This will bring an increased risk of snow to all areas and more widespread frost.’

Dr Emer O’Connell of Public Health England said: ‘Experience shows us that every winter thousands of people are seriously affected and even die from illnesses linked to the cold. Protecting yourself from the cold may seem like common sense but many people do not manage to keep themselves warm.

‘If you know someone at risk, someone over 65, anyone with dementia or a heart and lung condition, or a young child, check up on them and see if there’s anything you can do to help.

‘All of us should be heating our homes to at least 18C, keeping up to date with weather forecasts and planning our days around them – simple steps can really help protect against the cold.’ 

** Do you have any photographs of the snow? Please email them to: pictures@mailonline.co.uk ** 

‘Time to start stockpiling Jaffa Cakes!’: Britons poke fun at ‘the snow storm of 2019’ after overnight dumping of the white stuff across UK

  • Snow swept large parts of the country yesterday sparking a flood of memes
  • Brits posted videos of snowfall as nation braces for the coldest night of winter 
  • * Do you have any photographs of the snow? Email pictures@mailonline.co.uk * 

Snow finally hit Britain yesterday – prompting Twitter users to joke about the coming apocalypse.

A light dusting of snow led to hundreds of tongue-in-cheek posts on Twitter about the country grinding to a halt, with some users joking they were stocking up on food.

Snow was first seen in northern Scotland and the Western Isles late last week – but it has crept down through the likes of County Durham and Cumbria towards Birmingham and then London today. 

Snow hit the country last night - causing Twitter users to joke about the oncoming apocalypse Snow arrives in London after freezing temperatures hit the capital

Snow hit the country last night – causing Twitter users to joke about the oncoming apocalypse Snow arrives in London after freezing temperatures hit the capital

 

Photographs yesterday showed car crashes across the country in the likes of Derbyshire and Scotland – while a video revealed the top layer of the sea had frozen in Whitstable, Kent, due to the sub-zero temperatures. 

But Twitter was quick to ridicule the so called ‘arctic conditions’ with a series of weather related videos and pictures. 

One user wrote: ‘We’ve had snow here in SW London [shocked emoji] and I haven’t managed to stock up with a month’s supplies, I’m going to die aren’t I?’

Peter Marshall added: ‘Snow in London! Must be the end of the world.’

Emma Cox tweeted: ‘I noticed snow is trending, which means a few flakes fell in London and public transport has ground to a halt.’ 

Temperatures in London and Cardiff are expected to peak at 5C (41F), while Birmingham will see highs of 3C (37F) and 2C (36F) in Edinburgh. 

Londoners took to Twitter to joke about stocking up on food for the coming apocalypse as snow hit the capital

Londoners took to Twitter to joke about stocking up on food for the coming apocalypse as snow hit the capital

A Met Office forecaster said: ‘Today will be one of the coldest days of the week, but with a lot of sunshine to compensate.

‘Those concerned about the yellow warnings should allow extra time for journeys and take extra care on untreated roads and pavements. It’s patches of ice left over from snow showers that people should look out for.’

Although the weather will warm slightly towards the end of the week, more cold weather is set for the weekend.

The spokeswoman said: ‘Gradually some slightly warmer air will push in for the latter part of the week, but we have a band of rain pushing in Saturday which will push much colder air in behind it.

‘By Sunday it will be very similar conditions to those we will have tomorrow.’  

Temperatures in London and Cardiff are expected to peak at 5C today, as the top layer of the sea in Whitstable, Kent, froze over 

Temperatures in London and Cardiff are expected to peak at 5C today, as the top layer of the sea in Whitstable, Kent, froze over 

People across the UK also joked about going home early because of the snow

People across the UK also joked about going home early because of the snow

A few spots of snow! Dalmatian enjoys his winter walkies as readers share snaps of white-coated cars and streets across Britain

  • Snow first seen in northern Scotland last week, but has since crept down towards Birmingham and London 
  • Wintry scenes have delighted some Brits but others despaired over travel chaos brought by snow and ice
  • MailOnline readers have been sharing their best snaps from Loch Lomond, Buckinghamshire and Derbyshire
  • ** Do you have any photographs of the snow? Please email them to: pictures@mailonline.co.uk ** 

Snowy scenes have been caught on camera across the country as Britain faces wintry weather conditions.

The white stuff was first seen in northern Scotland and the Western Isles late last week – but since then it has crept down through the likes of County Durham and Cumbria towards Birmingham and then London yesterday.

Met Office warnings for ice remain in place today. The wintry scenes have delighted some Brits, while others despaired as it brought travel chaos with cancelled trains and huge traffic jams in some parts of the country.

MailOnline readers have been sharing their snaps of the snow, including one dog frolicking in Loch Lomond in Scotland, and a gritter struggling to cope in Oban. Here, we run through some of the best…

Ian and Kerry Bretherton shared this snap of their pooch Oreo enjoying the snow in Rainford in St Helens, Merseyside

Ian and Kerry Bretherton shared this snap of their pooch Oreo enjoying the snow in Rainford in St Helens, Merseyside

Jane Lowe was greeted by this wintry walk near her home in High Peak, Derbyshire, yesterday 

Jane Lowe was greeted by this wintry walk near her home in High Peak, Derbyshire, yesterday 

Geoffrey Betts described the scene on the roads in Marlow, Buckinghamshire, this evening as 'complete chaos' 

Geoffrey Betts described the scene on the roads in Marlow, Buckinghamshire, this evening as ‘complete chaos’ 

Buses are driven along the snowy roads in London last night as the capital enjoys the snowfall

Buses are driven along the snowy roads in London last night as the capital enjoys the snowfall

MailOnline readers have been sharing their best snaps of the wintry scenes across Britain today, with black labrador Breagh Duncan enjoying the snow in Loch Lomond, Scotland, yesterday

MailOnline readers have been sharing their best snaps of the wintry scenes across Britain today, with black labrador Breagh Duncan enjoying the snow in Loch Lomond, Scotland, yesterday

Temperatures could plummet to a bone-chilling -12C in some parts of Scotland

Cold temperatures didn't stop Breagh frolicking about

Temperatures could plummet to a bone-chilling -12C in some parts of Scotland – but that didn’t stop Brodie Duncan’s dog Breagh frolicking about

Nicky Baldwin captured this wonderful shot of snow topped branches above the road in High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire

Nicky Baldwin captured this wonderful shot of snow topped branches above the road in High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire

Saqib Karim was greeted by a light dusting of snow outside their front door in High Wycombe, Buckingham, this afternoon

Saqib Karim was greeted by a light dusting of snow outside their front door in High Wycombe, Buckingham, this afternoon

Natasha Warkcup captured the snow as it covered trees and cars in her street in High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire

Natasha Warkcup captured the snow as it covered trees and cars in her street in High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire

London-based MailOnline readers shared snowy nighttime snaps from Seven Sisters

Pictured: Watford

London-based MailOnline readers shared snowy nighttime snaps from Seven Sisters (left) and Watford (right)

Estate agent Adam Salem caught this snap outside the window of his home in Shenley, Hertfordshire, yesterday

Estate agent Adam Salem caught this snap outside the window of his home in Shenley, Hertfordshire, yesterday

Chris Peck's garden in Oxford looked like a winter wonderland thanks to snowfall throughout the day, with more predicted this evening

Chris Peck’s garden in Oxford looked like a winter wonderland thanks to snowfall throughout the day, with more predicted this evening

Lauren Foster was greeted with a snowy garden in Amersham, Buckinghamshire, yesterday during the Great White Out

Lauren Foster was greeted with a snowy garden in Amersham, Buckinghamshire, yesterday during the Great White Out

Luke Andrews took this snap of an empty street in Prestwood, Buckinghamshire, as Met Office warnings for ice remain in place across the whole of Britain

Luke Andrews took this snap of an empty street in Prestwood, Buckinghamshire, as Met Office warnings for ice remain in place across the whole of Britain

Traffic was brought to a standstill on the A816 just outside Oban in western Scotland yesterday as gritters struggled to cope, as shown in this photo by Kevin McGlynn

Traffic was brought to a standstill on the A816 just outside Oban in western Scotland yesterday as gritters struggled to cope, as shown in this photo by Kevin McGlynn

Mr Andrews also took this snap of a snowy park in Prestwood. Temperatures are expected to plummet to a bone-chilling -12C tonight

Mr Andrews also took this snap of a snowy park in Prestwood. Temperatures are expected to plummet to a bone-chilling -12C tonight

Alison Sarll caught this snap of a light dusting of snow with fog in the background from a high rise in Kirkby in Knowsley, Merseyside

Alison Sarll caught this snap of a light dusting of snow with fog in the background from a high rise in Kirkby in Knowsley, Merseyside

Snow was pictured covering a trampoline in High Lane, Cheshire, by Karen Ring at around 1.30pm yesterday

Snow was pictured covering a trampoline in High Lane, Cheshire, by Karen Ring at around 1.30pm yesterday

The wintry scenes have delighted some Brits, while others despaired as it brought travel chaos with cancelled trains and huge traffic jams in some parts of the country. Pictured: traffic in Oban, Scotland, yesterday

The wintry scenes have delighted some Brits, while others despaired as it brought travel chaos with cancelled trains and huge traffic jams in some parts of the country. Pictured: traffic in Oban, Scotland, yesterday

Rita Heys caught this wintry scene on camera at her home in Rossendale, Lancashire, yesterday

Rita Heys caught this wintry scene on camera at her home in Rossendale, Lancashire, yesterday

Snow in Whitfield, Kent, this morning. The Met Office has issued a weather warning for ice across most of the country

Snow in Whitfield, Kent, this morning. The Met Office has issued a weather warning for ice across most of the country

Snow in the Lancashire town of Blackburn this morning. Today is expected to be the chilliest day of the week for many areas

Snow in the Lancashire town of Blackburn this morning. Today is expected to be the chilliest day of the week for many areas

Snow on cars and the road this morning in Edmonton, North London

Snow on cars and the road this morning in Edmonton, North London

A snowy street in Swansea, South Wales, this morning ahead of sunrise

A snowy street in Swansea, South Wales, this morning ahead of sunrise

** Do you have any photographs of the snow? Please email them to: pictures@mailonline.co.uk ** 

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