UK snow warning: Met Office extends alert with 'disruptive' weather to strike as country wakes up to blanket of white
WATCH: The latest forecast from the Met Office for GB News
Met Office
Forecasters have issued several weather warnings for snow and ice, as wintry conditions overnight have caused traffic chaos.
The Met Office has extended its forecast, with up to 20cm of snow expected in areas above 300m, with 5-10cm possible above 200m.
Met Office Chief Meteorologist Dan Suri said: "An area of low pressure slides its way eastwards on Monday night. The associated frontal system will bring disruptive snow between Monday evening and Tuesday morning...this is likely to coincide with rush hour, leading to disruption to some transport routes across a central swathe of the UK."
The Met Office has issued three yellow weather alerts for snow and ice covering the Midlands, northern England, parts of Northern Ireland and north east Wales. The warnings remain in place until 11am on Tuesday for most regions, with Scotland's alert extending until 10am on Wednesday.
Snow has fallen in Buxton, Derbyshire
PA/Met Office
Snow in Yorkshire
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Snow has fallen across the North and Scotland
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The snow capped mountain of Ingleborough in the Yorkshire Dales
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Snow begins to fall in Lee Park, Liverpool
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The M26 between J21-J23, the M1 at Leeds and Sheffield, and the M56 at Manchester are among the impacted routes. Northern Rail services have been cancelled until at least 2pm, impacting routes including Bradford Interchange, Huddersfield, and between Halifax and Hebden Bridge.
Mersey Rail announced their first services would run without passengers to check track conditions due to snow and ice risks.
The A628 across the Pennines has been shut in both directions between the A616 Hollingworth and the A57 Flouch.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has issued its first amber cold weather health alert of the season, covering the east and north of England, Midlands, and Yorkshire and the Humber.
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The Met Office alerts are in place
Met Office
A train crosses over the Ribblehead Viaduct with the snow capped mountain of Ingleborough in Yorkshire
PA
Snowfall in Buxton town centre
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Fog envelopes the Cheshire countryside as temperatures become wintry on November 18, 2024 in Northwich
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Dr Agostinho Sousa from the UKHSA said: "This is the first amber Cold Weather Health Alert of the season, but we can expect more as we approach winter."
"It is vital to check in on vulnerable friends, family and neighbours to ensure they are well prepared for the onset of cold weather, particularly if they are elderly or otherwise at increased risk," he added.
Age UK director Caroline Abrahams said the charity was worried that the loss of the Winter Fuel Payment has caused many older people to be “extra fearful” about turning on their heating this winter.
She said: "With high energy bills and food prices it is understandable that some may think they have to cut back on food and turn their heating off, but prolonged exposure to cold temperatures can have a serious impact on an older person’s health, especially if they are already trying to manage existing illnesses."
Snowy conditions in Carr Gate, West Yorkshire
PA
CEO of Age Scotland Katherine Crawford said pre-existing medical conditions can be exacerbated by the cold snap and that the elderly are particularly vulnerable to transport disruption.
She added: "Bad weather may make it difficult for people to get out for essential shopping or medical appointments, so we'd urge everyone to check in on older family, friends and neighbours during this period to find out if they need any extra support."
Meanwhile, schools across the country are set to close as the Met Office warns of dangerous conditions caused by an arctic snow blast.
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