UK weather – Brits brace for commuter chaos as 4ins of snow falls overnight & -10C freeze makes UK colder than Lapland
BRITS are bracing for commuter chaos today as four inches of snow fell overnight.
The white stuff blanketed London and other parts of the country last night, seeing travel warnings scattered throughout.
Much of the country was blanketed in snow last night[/caption]
And Brits have been warned it could cause travel chaos today[/caption]
Two friends made the most of the snowfall in London[/caption]
The wintery weather disrupted airports across the country yesterday[/caption]
Snow started to fall in the capital last night[/caption]
Brighton was blanketed in snow, too[/caption]
Wee 18-month-old Aidan Robert enjoyed an early morning walk after overnight snow in the hamlet of Thickwood in Wiltshire[/caption]
Josh Smith, 6, and George Smith, 4, with Border Collie Jessie Lancashire in Scott Park Burnley[/caption]
Brits have already faced days of cancelled flights, delayed trains and backed-up motorways as a result of adverse weather.
And there’s more to come. The Met Office has warned the wintry conditions could cause commuter chaos across rail, road and airways this morning.
Plus, forecasters believe things will only get worse with the mercury set to plunge to -10C in the coming days.
It makes the UK colder than Finland – where temperatures will stay around the -6C mark towards the end of the week. Finland is where Santa Claus’ homeland of Lapland can be found.
Stansted Airport remained closed at midnight last night while machines battled to clear snow from its runways.
And, as a result of the “adverse weather conditions”, all flights had been suspended.
Meanwhile, Brits in the South East were being asked not to travel unless essential due to the heavy snow.
Kent was said to have been hit particularly hard, with the white stuff severely impacting the M2, M20 around junctions 8 and 9, the A21 and A249 and drivers struggling to get through.
Police have also reported an “unusually high number of crashes” as yellow weather warnings remain in place for much of the UK until this morning.
The Met Office have now extended the alerts – and a snow and ice warning will now remain in place until 9am.
They warn that up to 10cm of snow could fall – including in the capital.
Met Office chief meteorologist, Steve Willington, said: “It is staying cold with daytime temperatures remaining only a few degrees above freezing in many places over the coming days and overnight temperatures dropping to -10°C or lower in isolated spots.
“Although below average, these temperatures are not that unusual for this time of year.
“There is still a risk we could see some freezing fog in places particularly southern England, especially for Sunday and Monday mornings.
“And there is also a small risk of a band of sleet or snow moving into the far Southeast on Sunday.
“If this happens it could potentially bring some disruption, especially to rush hour on Monday.”
Meanwhile, in Wales yesterday there have been several road traffic collisions along the M4 corridor between Junction 35 to 39 Westbound.
And in Warwickshire cops are dealing with a high number of crashes – with one involving three cars at once.
Police are now asking motorists in the Stratford area to avoid travel unless extremely necessary.
A multi-vehicle crash has also prompted closures on M1 northbound at East Midlands Airport in Manchester.
Meanwhile in Kent icy temperatures have prevented trains from getting electricity and several routes are not running.
Commuters in London and Essex were being warned that snow could disrupt travel.
And at Heathrow Airport several flights to Ireland were cancelled due to foggy and icy conditions.
In Gatwick passengers are experiencing huge delays and cancelations.
The airport warned holidaymakers to check the status of their flight with the airline and to allow extra time to travel to the airport.
It comes after areas of Scotland, south-western England, the Midlands, north-western England and Wales were hit by snow on Saturday.
And more snow has blasted areas today including Gloucestershire and Oxfordshire.
Forecasters also said the cold snap is expected to stay through next week, with overnight frosts and daytime temperatures dipping below freezing.
A Met Office yellow warning for snow and ice is in place for much of Scotland until midday today.
Although below average, these temperatures are not that unusual for this time of year.
Steve Willington
Two more snow and ice warnings kicked in today, with much of the Southeast and East of England warned snow will spark travel hell – particularly this morning.
The Met Office warns there is a chance of power cuts and people could potentially be hurt from slips and falls on icy surfaces.
Ellie Wilson, Met Office meteorologist, said: “It’s looking to stay quite chilly through next week with frost overnight and some cold temperatures in the day as well.
“Through Sunday and into Monday, there’s a chance the south east of England could see a little bit more in the way of snow although there’s a little bit of uncertainty there.
“There could also possibly be the odd flurry in the south Midlands – the Bristol/Bath area – but anything settling will likely be above 200-300 metres.”
The UKHSA is advising people to look out for friends and family who are vulnerable in the cold and to ensure they have access to warm food and drinks.
It stressed people should maintain indoor temperatures of at least 18C.
Dr Agostinho Sousa, consultant in public health medicine at UKHSA, said: “Cold weather can have serious consequences for health and older people and those with heart or lung conditions can be particularly at risk.
“If you have a pre-existing medical condition, you should heat your home to a temperature that is comfortable for you.
“In rooms you mostly use such as the living room or bedroom, try to heat them to at least 18C if you can.
“Keep your bedroom windows closed at night. Wearing several layers of clothing will keep you warmer than one thicker layer.”
Darren Clark – severe weather resilience manager at National Highways – said gritters would be out to keep motorways and major A-roads open.
He said: “National Highways is committed to treating every road which needs to be treated – whenever it is needed.”
After a heavy snow fall the A417 bypass outside Cirencester in The Cotswolds is almost deserted[/caption]
London’s Heathrow Airport was hit with heavy fog yesterday morning[/caption]
Snow hit Hartlepool overnight leaving much of Teesside under a blanket of the white stuff[/caption]
Weather warnings are in place[/caption]