Tag: weather
Drinkers in Santa and elf outfits brave icy weather to hit the bars for festive fun on last weekend before Christmas
BRITS got in a festive frolic last night as they painted towns and cities up and down the country a Christmas red.
Thousands of revellers braved sub-zero temperatures to drink in the last weekend with pals before the big day.
![](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/xmas-booze-fancy-dress-prominant-783592677.jpg?strip=all&w=685)
Three pals get into the festive spirit in Leeds[/caption]
![](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/xmas-booze-fancy-dress-prominant-783592720.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
Friends get a kick out of Christmas as the head into the Leeds night for the last weekend before the big day[/caption]
![](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/7007fb83-c031-4c20-9545-004e7045f4d0.jpg?strip=all&w=460)
![](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/xmas-booze-fancy-dress-prominant-783592664.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
One gaggle of pals were seen busting a pose in Leeds as they sleighed into town for a their knees up[/caption]
![](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/xmas-booze-fancy-dress-prominant-783596472.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
Two pals snuggle up in the sub-zero temperatures as they head into Leeds for a knees up[/caption]
![](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/xmas-booze-fancy-dress-prominant-783592686.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
Reach for the mince pies: a cowgirl holds up Leeds on Saturday night[/caption]
![](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/revellers-leeds-otley-run-saturday-783533898.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
Girls dressed as pirates were among the clientele sinking pints on the Otley Run, in Leeds, on Saturday[/caption]
![](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/revellers-leeds-otley-run-saturday-783534041.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
Pals sporting Santa and elf outfits took to Leeds for the Otlet Run drink-athon[/caption]
And they wore everything from naughty elf costumes to sexy Santa getups.
One gaggle of pals were seen busting a pose in Leeds as they sleighed into town for their knees up.
But one of them surely got on Santa’s naughty list after flicking a finger at the camera.
Meanwhile one lad looked to steal the festive fun as he strolled through Leeds in a Grinch costume.
He was next to his mate who looked proud in his Mr Incredible clobber from the hit Pixar movie.
Many of those in the West Yorkshire clubbing mecca were enjoying a final booze blizzard after taking on the famous Otley Run pub crawl.
Punters sink booze along the A660 towards the city centre as part of the famous drink-athon – a rite of passage for youngsters studying or visiting the city.
A Jedi, girls dressed as pirates and Laurence of Arabia were among the clientele spotted chopping pints on Saturday.
And there was even a mob of fellas dressed as kids’ favourite Teletubbies as the pint glasses piled up.
It comes as Britain is set for blizzards today with up to six inches snow possible.
Heavy falls and high winds are predicted across the North and South West, potentially causing major disruption.
Forecasters said the extreme weather included the possibility of freezing rain — raindrops that freeze on impact with the ground, causing dangerous road surfaces.
But the chill did not deter those who wanted to take a dip in Cullercoats Bay, North Tyneside, yesterday.
Snow blasted Teesdale, Co Durham, and Middleton Tyas, North Yorks, while skaters enjoyed the freeze in Welney, Norfolk.
The good news is temperatures are expected to jump by up to 15 degrees by mid week.
The recent polar cold snap will be replaced with warmer air coming in from the Atlantic.
There could be rain in London and south east England, south west England and Wales, from around 6pm today.
BBC forecaster Nick Miller explained: “A change to milder weather will begin on Sunday but as that process takes place many places will see a spell of snow before it turns to rain.”
![](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/xmas-booze-fancy-dress-prominant-783592655.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
One lad looked to steal the festive fun as he strolled through Leeds in a Grinch costume[/caption]
![](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/revellers-leeds-otley-run-saturday-783534026.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
A mob of fellas dressed as kids’ favourite Teletubbies huddle at the Otley Run, Leeds[/caption]
![](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/xmas-booze-fancy-dress-prominant-783592594.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
These two may need some more layers than this in the coming days as snow is forecast to freeze Britain[/caption]
![](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/xmas-booze-fancy-dress-prominant-783592705.jpg?strip=all&w=861)
A gaggle of pals wear elf, Santa and a dog outfit for their big night out in Leeds[/caption]
Extreme weather leads to more negative tweets, study finds
If it’s ever seemed like people are more crotchety on social media when there’s a heatwave or heavy rain, you’re probably not alone in having that perspective. Researchers analyzed more than 7.7 billion geotagged tweets from 190 countries that were posted between 2015 and 2021. They used a language analysis tool to measure the sentiment of tweets against daily weather data.
The researchers found that, compared with days of regular weather, “both local extreme heat and extreme precipitation events worsen online emotional states globally by elevating rates of posts with negative expressions and also reducing the rate of posts with positive words.” They also determined that people were more likely to tweet negatively during downpours and heatwaves than when daylight savings time kicks in and they forego an hour of sleep.
These outcomes might not seem incredibly surprising. However, the researchers suggested that because the findings were so consistent across tweets from more than 43,000 counties, they indicate that we’re finding it hard to adapt to climate change. They carried out the study in the first place to explore the links between climate change and mental health.
“As of right now, we see very little evidence of adaptation in the way that these new extreme events that are emerging globally are impacting human sentiment,” says Kelton Minor, a postdoctoral research scientist at Columbia University and co-author of the study, told The Verge. “Since climate change is shifting the extreme tails of most regional temperature and heavy precipitation distributions rightwards, the impact of more severe extremes on overt emotional states may far exceed those registered in the recent past, pending further adaptation,” the abstract of the study reads.
Minor and co-author Nick Obradovich, chief scientist at a nonprofit called Project Regeneration, found the biggest shift in sentiment during a record-breaking heatwave in the Pacific Northwest and southwest Canada in 2021. More than a thousand deaths were linked to that heatwave, while negative sentiment in tweets increased tenfold compared with the typical heatwave in the US, the researchers found. Minor and his colleagues plan to keep monitoring social media sentiment in the face of more extreme weather events, which studies suggest are likely to happen more often amid rising global temperatures.
UK weather: Weekend set to bring snow for most of UK
Meteosat: Europe’s next-generation weather satellite enters orbit
With a new lightning imager and advanced scanners, the third-generation satellite is set to boost weather forecasting and early storm detection.
Read more: Meteosat: Europe’s next-generation weather satellite enters orbit
New weather warnings issued amid major travel disruption as rail strikes continue
UK weather: Snow and ice alerts extended as cold snap continues
UK weather: Thousands left without power amid new four-day snow alert – with threat of icy roads & school closures
BRITS are bracing for a bone-chilling week after the yellow warning for snow and ice was extended across the UK.
The nation has already seen schools closed because of blankets of snow – and some remote parts left without power.
![](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/snow-ice-blanket-marine-park-782597787-2.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
The Met Office has extended its yellow warning to last four days[/caption]
![](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/significant-travel-disruption-rail-strikes-782568592.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
Motorists face delays thanks to the arctic weather and train strikes[/caption]
![](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/2022-streets-finsbury-park-covered-782303599-1.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
Thousands of people in Scotland have been left without power amid the plummeting temperatures[/caption]
![](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/2022-snow-covered-country-lanes-782614597-1.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
Commuters are set to face more chaos as the snow and ice continues to plague the UK[/caption]
![](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/2022-london-uk-members-public-782566819.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
People walking and cycling across Blackheath Common in London on Tuesday morning[/caption]
![](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/satellite-image-shows-britain-enveloped-782567144.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
![](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/southeastern-train-makes-way-ashford-782431481.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
The few trains that are running are still heavily disrupted by icy weather[/caption]
And the cold snap is keeping its icy grip on the country, with Arctic conditions threatening to cause further travel chaos this week while potentially forcing more schools to shut their doors indefinitely.
After temperatures plummeted to a numbing -17.3C, marking the coldest night of the year, more freezing weather is set to come.
The nation has been warned to prepare for a wealth of the white stuff to fall – with up to 10cms expected on higher ground.
The Met Office last night extended a yellow warning for snow and ice, covering northern Scotland and north east England, until noon on Friday.
Snow and ice warnings are also in place in the South West from 6pm on Tuesday until 10am Wednesday.
An ice warning is in place in East England from 3pm on Tuesday until noon Wednesday.
The Met also added a yellow ice warning in northern parts of Northern Ireland, including Belfast and Londonderry from noon Tuesday until noon Wednesday.
It is set to spell further havoc for commuters after the icy weather battering the nation forced road closures, train cancellations and even saw flights axed.
The weather coupled with the train strikes has created a perfect storm for travel mayhem as Brits battle to get to work.
Thousands of homes in Scotland have been left without power tonight in wake of the nosediving temperatures.
A major incident has been declared in Shetland as SSEN Distribution warned locals that full restoration was only likely to take place by the end of the week.
Forecasters at the Met confirmed temperatures were -17.3C in Braemar in Aberdeenshire, Scotland, officially making it the UK’s chilliest night of the year so far.
And the weather service added that it was the lowest temperature recorded in December since 2010.
Brits were forced to bunker down on Tuesday as the cold crept in, which forced a string of schools to close.
Motorists have been told to only drive if absolutely necessary amid fears icy roads will cause accidents and long tailbacks.
Simon Williams, spokesman for RAC Breakdown, said “treacherous” conditions are expected on the roads “following a big refreeze overnight”.
He urged drivers in rural areas to “delay or even abandon their plans” to avoid the dangerous conditions.
And with nation-wide strikes, travelling by train is not a viable alternative amid the severe weather.
The UK will stay cold through this week with the risk of sleet and snow at times continuing, especially in northern and eastern coastal areas.
Met Office forecasters have also extended several yellow weather warnings for snow, ice and fog across Britain.
Met Office Chief Meteorologist, Matthew Lehnert, said: “The cold conditions will remain in situ during this week.
“In many places daytime temperatures will struggle to get above freezing, while overnight temperatures have the potential to drop below -10 C in rural parts of Scotland.
“Warnings for snow and ice will continue to be a feature of the forecast until the end of the week.”
It comes as…
- Schools shut and asked kids to stay at home and stay warm
- A hero schoolboy, 10, ran into a frozen Solihull lake to save a child who fell in
- Despite the tragedy, two girls were spotted playing on a frozen lake just hours later
- Can you be fined for keeping your child at home due to the snow? Your questions answered
- Full list of trains cancelled today – will you be affected?
Met Office spokesperson Becky White said areas covered by the extended warning should expect a bulk of snow to follow.
She explained: “We could see a good few new centimetres of snow accumulation.
“We could see around 1-4cms at lower levels and 5-10cm on higher ground across the Highlands.
“There will be a risk of ice across the country over the next few days, but particularly tonight. There is a band of rain moving in from the South West, but it may turn into snow as it reaches land.”
Brits may be bracing for more of the white stuff as snow could also hit England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland on Sunday.
But the Met Office said that any snow that does fall in these areas will “quickly be replaced by milder air and rain”.
A Level 3 Cold Weather Alert covering all of England has been issued by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) until Friday 16th December.
Last night homeowners were promised £4 per kilowatt hour to switch off their appliances as part of the “demand flexibility service”.
Energy firms paid customers to cut energy usage during the surge slot of 5pm to 7pm, branded “Peak Save”.
The Electricity Systems Operator ran its fifth trial of the scheme yesterday, an event that was previously scheduled and Brits will be unable to take part in if if they have not already signed up.
British Gas, Octopus Energy and Ovo Energy all confirmed they would be taking part in the pilot run.
![](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/see-swns-story-swnaweather-revellers-782366546.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
Pals in Saffron Walden, Essex, decided to have some fun and build a snowman[/caption]
![](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/2022-pooley-bridge-uk-man-782628150.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
A man takes a picture among the snow and frost in Cumbria on Tuesday[/caption]
![](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/copyright-peter-jordan-commissioned-sun-782584966.jpg?strip=all&w=579)
Brave swimmers faced the near zero temperature to go swimming in the Serpentine in Hyde Park London[/caption]
![](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/2022-members-rmt-rail-workers-782606275.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
Commuters facing a massive crush at Waterloo[/caption]
![](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/2022-london-uk-heavy-traffic-782577454.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
The roads were packed in London after bad weather and the train strike[/caption]
![](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/60d10695-226d-46f5-bc28-13d5d3375a51.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
He said: “National Highways is committed to treating every road which needs to be treated – whenever it is needed.”
Rod Dennis from the RAC said their teams were “exceptionally busy”.
The RAC said it received around 12,000 call-outs from stranded motorists yesterday.
That was the most for a single day since the company began uniformed patrols in 1901, including during the so-called Beast from the East freeze in 2018.
He added that this was 50 per cent more than what they would see on a typical Monday in December.
Schools are also being forced to shut or open later due to the freezing weather – find out if your kids are affected here.
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.”
![](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/snow-covered-field-near-castleton-782574641.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
A snow covered field in the Peak District[/caption]
![](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/2022-st-albans-uk-sign-782430284.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
A sign warning people to keep off the ice at Verulamium Park Lake, St Albans[/caption]
![](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/damaged-car-used-airbags-left-782425251.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
UK weather: Brits brace for another freezing day as mercury dips to -15C overnight & icy fog causes travel chaos
BRITS are bracing for yet another freezing day after temperatures dipped to a bone-chilling -15C overnight.
Icy fog has already begun to descend on the country causing travel chaos nation-wide – with roads closed, trains cancelled and flights axed.
![](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/2022-london-uk-man-jogging-781905680.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
A runner braced the cold for an early-morning jog[/caption]
![](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/southeastern-train-makes-way-ashford-782431481.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
A Southeastern train makes its way through Ashford in Kent as rail services remain disrupted in the icy weather[/caption]
![](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/VP-MAP-WEATHER-WARNINGS-TUE.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
Brits were forced to bunker down overnight as a -15C deep freeze swept in.
And today won’t be much better, with yellow weather warnings for snow, ice and fog covering vast swathes of the UK.
Brits have been told to only drive if absolutely necessary amid fears icy roads will cause accidents and long tailbacks.
And due to tomorrow’s nation-wide strikes, travelling by train isn’t a viable alternative
Met Office forecasters issued several yellow weather warnings for snow, ice and fog across Britain from Monday through to Thursday.
And today could bring the worst of the poor weather as a band of snow and ice is set to push down through Scotland sparking a yellow weather warning.
The snow and sleet will continue across the North and East with the rest of the country experiencing frost and freezing fog.
It comes as…
- Schools shut and asked kids to stay at home and stay warm
- A hero schoolboy, 10, ran into a frozen Solihull lake to save a child who fell in
- Despite the tragedy, two girls were spotted playing on a frozen lake just hours later
- Can you be fined for keeping your child at home due to the snow? Your questions answered
- Full list of trains cancelled today – will you be affected?
Braemar in Aberdeenshire, Scotland, recorded the UK’s coldest temperature at -15.6C on Sunday night – the chilliest night of the year so far.
And tonight, the Scottish town of Glendoll Lodge hit bone-chilling -15.
Last night homeowners were promised £4 per kilowatt hour to switch off their appliances as part of the “demand flexibility service”.
Energy firms paid customers to cut energy usage during the surge slot of 5pm to 7pm, branded “Peak Save”.
The Electricity Systems Operator ran its fifth trial of the scheme yesterday, an event that was previously scheduled and Brits will be unable to take part in if if they have not already signed up.
British Gas, Octopus Energy and Ovo Energy all confirmed they would be taking part in the pilot run.
The cold snap is also set to continue into next week, the Met Office warned.
Motorists were stuck in standstill traffic on the M25 on Monday as snow brought delays of nearly three hours, one motorist said.
Other roads with long delays include the M11, M2, A21, A27 and A249, according to National Highways.
National Highways said the A1(M) northbound is closed between J7 and J8 after an HGV burst into flames sparking yet more carnage.
Darren Clark – severe weather resilience manager at National Highways – said gritters would be out to keep motorways and major A-roads open.
![](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/2022-st-albans-uk-sign-782430284.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
A sign warning people to keep off the ice at Verulamium Park Lake, St Albans[/caption]
![](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/snow-essex-monday-many-people-782397241.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
One driver pushes their Mercedes out the snow on a road off the M25 near Enfield, North London[/caption]
He said: “National Highways is committed to treating every road which needs to be treated – whenever it is needed.”
Police also reported a 200 per cent increase in 999 calls last night during the “inclement weather”, seeing them urgently send a reminder.
Essex police wrote: “If it is not an emergency and the incident you wish to speak to us about is not happening right now, please do not call 999.
“Instead, you can report this online or call us on 101.”
It comes as a landlord was forced to lay out mattresses after 40 people, including babies and kids, had to abandon their cars.
Dr Alexandra Loske was one of those sheltering at the Bear Inn near Burwash, East Sussex, telling the BBC the snow was “biblical”.
But pub manager Pauline Wilson, 38, said the atmosphere was fantastic as guests guzzled hot chocolate and chowed down pigs in blankets.
On Monday, London Gatwick Airport said flights were operational and the airport remains open despite freezing weather causing some delays and cancellations.
London Stansted Airport says it remains “fully open and operational” but asks passengers to contact airlines for further flight information.
Emirates passengers at Gatwick Airport were found sleeping in the corridors early on Monday after flights were cancelled due to snow.
Schools are also being forced to shut due to the freezing weather – find out if your kids are affected here.
Met Office chief meteorologist, Steve Willington, earlier said: “It is staying cold with daytime temperatures remaining only a few degrees above freezing in many places over the coming days.
“Overnight temperatures dropping to -10C 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.”
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.
Although below average, these temperatures are not that unusual for this time of year.
Steve Willington
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.”
![](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/snow-london-jeff-moore-commuters-782374462.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
Commuters wait for the tube in the snow at Leytonstone, East London, as snow sparks travel carnage across the country[/caption]
![](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/8e446f4d-9175-4d14-b2ba-560915c38ea5.jpg?strip=all&w=637)
![](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/people-enjoy-snow-cold-weather-782430564.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
A man tows a toboggan as cold weather continues in Hertford[/caption]
![](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/damaged-car-used-airbags-left-782425251.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
![](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/m25-traffic-brought-grinding-halt-782341339.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
![](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/people-looking-frozen-lake-richmond-782379255.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
People looking at a frozen lake in Richmond Park in South West London[/caption]
![](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/2022-london-uk-members-public-782351420-1.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
A girl charges down a snow covered hill on a sledge in Greenwich Park in South East London[/caption]
![](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/image-412.png?strip=all&w=455)
One Twitter user said he was stuck for 2.5 hours between junctions 26 and 25 northbound of M25 on Monday morning[/caption]
![](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/m25-traffic-brought-grinding-halt-782341326.jpg?strip=all&w=781)