Snow and ice hit parts of UK with warnings of travel disruption

People are warned to expect some travel delays and disruption throughout the UK as a result of snow and ice warnings. For Wednesday, as snow began to fall in certain regions of the United Kingdom, widespread yellow warnings of more snow and ice were in place. On higher ground in Wales, northern England, Northern Ireland, and Scotland, the most snow is expected to be seen. Separately, the UK Health and Security Agency (UKHSA) has released yellow and amber cold-health warnings until Saturday, alerting that significant risks to seniors and people with health problems may have occurred.

For a portion of north-east England, a more severe amber weather warning has been issued on Thursday. As a cold snap grips the United Kingdom, watch live: as a region of rain, sleet, and snow fell overnight into Wednesday morning, resulting in some icy patches and some areas awakening to a blanket of snow. Hundreds of schools in north-east Scotland and the Highlands have closed due to the snow and ice, with others closing later this day. Around a quarter of Shetland's schools have also been closed. Certain ferry services have been cancelled in Scotland, while in Wales and Derbyshire, there is traffic disruption on main roads. Frozen can cause some unusual travel conditions, the Met Office said. Darren Clark, a seasoned weather resilience specialist on National Highways, has urged all drivers to check lights and tyres before starting so not to be caught out. When snow arrives, he said that there are more than 500 gritters available to be called on. In addition, motorists are also advised to carry food, clothes, and a torch in their cars.

National Highways has reported that drivers traveling in both directions along the A628 Woodhead Pass between Hollingworth and Flouch in Derbyshire are delayed due to snow. Meanwhile, in Wales, the B4391 in Gwynedd, between Rhyd y Sarn and Pen y Bryn, has been blocked in both directions in the country's north-west. Traffic Scotland, which regulates the country's roads, has reported that frequent snow showers could result in chaos in areas with weather warnings, and that motorists traveling by road should be given the same warning. According to Bear Scotland, gritters are patrolling roads to provide extra care where needed in south-east and north-west Scotland, which also includes trunk roads. Some services have been cancelled, according to Calmac ferries in Scotland, while others are "liable to disruption or cancellation at short notice. Delays in bus and train service are also possible. Travelers are encouraged to plan their route, look for any delays, closures, or cancellations, and allow themselves ample time to plan and travel.

Around 2-5 cm (0. 20) is predicted for hills of Wales, northern England, Northern Ireland, and Scotland. The snow is forecast to reach 8-2inches, with more on higher ground. Parts of south-west Wales and south-east England will continue to receive wintry showers through Wednesday. Yellow Met Office yellow warnings for the Midlands and southern Scotland were in place until 11:00 GMT, but snow and ice warnings in Northern Ireland, northern Scotland, south-west Wales, and other areas of England would persist into Thursday. From 03:00 to 21:00 GMT on Thursday, the North York Moors and even portions of the Yorkshire Wolds will receive a more severe Met Office amber warning. Many hills above 100 meters elevation by the end of Thursday could fall to 15-25 cm of snow. Rural communities are expected to be cut off, vehicles becoming stranded, and the possibility of power cuts are likely to cause serious instability with rural communities being cut off. Additional hazards may be posed by gusty winds that lead to blizzards and thunderstorms.

Wednesday will feel particularly cold and windy. Although temperatures will range from 1-7 degrees, the wind chill would make it even cooler, especially in eastern areas of the United Kingdom. The UKHSA's yellow cold-health warnings are out in force across the Midlands until 08:00 GMT on Saturday. For the North West, North East, Yorkshire, and Humber, more severe amber health warnings have been released. These alerts are mainly for health and social care services, advising of serious consequences on more vulnerable members of the community. To cope with the cooler weather, additional demands may be placed on services. In rural Scotland, Thursday night will be the coldest night of the week, with temperatures plummeting below zero and low to -12C. It will be less cold by the weekend, with temperatures rising marginally to normal by Saturday.