Amber warning for snow as freezing cold snap grips UK

On Thursday, wintry weather would persist in the UK, with overnight temperatures falling below zero and ice hitting 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, with up to 15-25 cm (6-10ins) of snow falling on the ground, causing significant disruption. In England, south-west Wales, and northern Scotland, snow and ice have 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 people have been banned in Pembrokeshire, Carmarthenshire, and Ceredigion, Wales. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has also issued cold-health warnings for England until Saturday, warning that there may be significant effects on seniors and people with health problems. Overnight temperatures dropped to -6. 1C in Warcop, Cumbria in England, -5. 8C in Sennybridge, Wales, -4. 8C in Drumnadrochit, Scotland, and -2. 8C in Altnahinch Filters, Northern Ireland. On Thursday, daytime temperatures in most areas of the United Kingdom would reach between 2C and 6C.

Wind from the north will bring sleet and snow showers to the north, mostly in coastal areas. On highways and pavements, areas where showers, rain, and sleet have left the ground damp, are at risk of ice becoming a hazard. 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 being stuck. The Met Office has warned that heavy snow accumulation in parts of Yorkshire under amber warning would disrupt travel and could close roads and interrupt electricity. Early on Thursday morning, some rural roads in the North York Moors were impassable, according to AA patrolman Ben Westney of Pickering. North Yorkshire Council said its crews were gritting priority roads, but that cautionary was issued because the operation did not guarantee an ice or snow-free surface. National Rail cautioned on Thursday that speed limits could be imposed in areas hit by snow and ice, resulting in cancellations, changes, or delays.

Yellow warnings

On Thursday, there were yellow warnings of snow and ice in these regions, as well as low-lying areas, with possibly as much as 10 to 20 cm of snow for the highest ground in northern Scotland.

'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, most on hills over 100 meters elevation, and could result in serious chaos, according to forecasters. According to them, it is likely that certain areas, such as North York Moors and Scotland's Highlands, could see thundersnow. It's a phenomenon that occurs in wintry weather and results in heavy amounts of snow rather than rain. For the remainder of the UK, after a frosty start, Thursday would be mostly dry with some sun, but isolated wintry flurries and a danger of icy surfaces are likely. On Wednesday, areas from London to Shetland got snow, resulting in scores of school closures in Scotland and road closures throughout Derbyshire and north-west Wales. The UKHSA issued Amber cold-health warnings in England by 08:00 GMT on Saturday for the North West, North East, and Humber, as well as other areas in the United Kingdom, which have been under less severe yellow warnings. The alerts are mainly for health and social care services, with warning of significant consequences on more vulnerable populations of the population. To cope with the cooler weather, additional demands can be made on services. Temperatures are predicted to become milder by the weekend, with average temperatures hitting their highs by Saturday. The Met Office has seen a decrease in the frequency, length, and intensity of cold spells, which are 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. Get all the headlines you need to start the day with our flagship newsletter. Sign up here.