Amber warning for snow as freezing cold snap grips UK

Wintry weather is set to persist across the UK on Thursday, with overnight temperatures falling below zero and ice affecting several areas.

Yellow warnings are in place for Northern Ireland, northern and eastern Scotland, and coastal areas in south-west Wales, as well as south-east, east, and north-east England.

In the North York Moors and parts of the Yorkshire Wolds, a more severe amber warning is in force. Up to 15-25 cm (6-10 ins) of snow is expected to fall, causing significant disruption. In England, south-west Wales, and northern Scotland, snow and ice have already disrupted road traffic and closed hundreds of schools in North and East Yorkshire.

More than 90 schools have been closed in Aberdeenshire, Scotland, and others have been forced to close in the Highlands and Moray. Hundreds of schools have also been closed in Pembrokeshire, Carmarthenshire, and Ceredigion in Wales.

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has issued cold-health warnings for England until Saturday, warning that there may be "significant" effects on the elderly and people with health conditions.

Overnight temperatures dropped to -6.1°C in Warcop, Cumbria; -5.8°C in Sennybridge, Wales; -4.8°C in Drumnadrochit, Scotland; and -2.8°C in Altnahinch Filters, Northern Ireland. On Thursday, daytime temperatures in most areas of the United Kingdom are expected to reach between 2°C and 6°C.

Travel Disruption

Wind from the north will bring sleet and snow showers to northern regions, mostly in coastal areas. On roads and pavements, areas where showers, rain, and sleet have left the ground damp are at risk of turning to ice.

On Thursday morning, the A90 in Aberdeen was blocked in both directions between the Cleanhill roundabout and the Stonehaven roundabout, with reports of several vehicles becoming stuck.

The Met Office has warned that heavy snow accumulation in parts of Yorkshire covered by the amber warning will disrupt travel and could close roads and interrupt electricity supplies. Early on Thursday morning, some rural roads in the North York Moors were "impassable," according to AA patrolman Ben Westney in Pickering.

North Yorkshire Council said its crews were gritting priority roads but issued a caution that the operation did not guarantee an ice or snow-free surface. National Rail warned on Thursday that speed limits could be imposed in areas hit by snow and ice, resulting in cancellations, changes, or delays.

'Thundersnow'

The amber warning for North Yorkshire is in force from 03:00 to 21:00 GMT on Thursday. Snow is forecast throughout the day, mostly on hills over 100 metres in elevation, and could result in "serious disruption," according to forecasters.

They added that it is likely certain areas, such as the North York Moors and the Scottish Highlands, could see 'thundersnow'. This is a phenomenon that occurs in wintry weather and results in heavy amounts of snow rather than rain during a storm.

For the remainder of the UK, after a frosty start, Thursday is expected to be mostly dry with some sun, though isolated wintry flurries and a danger of icy surfaces remain likely. On Wednesday, areas from London to Shetland received snow, resulting in scores of school closures in Scotland and road closures throughout Derbyshire and north-west Wales.

Health Alerts

The UKHSA issued amber cold-health warnings in England until 08:00 GMT on Saturday for the North West, North East, and Yorkshire and the Humber. Other areas of the UK remain under less severe yellow warnings. The alerts are mainly for health and social care services, warning of "significant" consequences for vulnerable sections of the population.

Temperatures are predicted to become milder by the weekend, with average temperatures returning by Saturday.

The Met Office has noted a decrease in the frequency, length, and intensity of cold spells, which is largely due to climate change. According to the most recent climate report, air and ground frosts have decreased by around a quarter since the 1980s.