Britain will be buried in up to SIX INCHES of snow before New Year’s Day
Britain will be buried in up to SIX INCHES of snow before New Year’s Day: Met Office issues four-day warning for large swathes of the country – including London
- A yellow warning for ice and snow is in place in Scotland, northern England, Northern Ireland and Wales
- Parts of the country have already had snowfall today and the warning will be in place until 6am Thursday
- Roads have been closed, rail services delayed and in Gloucestershire, police urged residents not to go out
- The snowfall comes after Storm Bella lashed the UK with high winds and heavy rain overnight on Boxing Day
As a winter wonderland descended on parts of the country today the Met Office issued a four-day long warning that snow could be set to fall across much of the country, with up to six inches forecast.
The snowfall is expected to move in tonight across inland areas of southern Scotland and northern England while coastal areas see moderate rainfall and almost freezing temperatures.
Residents of Sheffield, Leeds and Bradford, could wake to find a covering of snow outside their windows tomorrow as snow is forecast for the early hours of the morning.
Elsewhere tomorrow will bring below freezing temperatures for most – lows of -4C (25F) in Glasgow – with a weather warning for ice and snow in place for most of inland UK, as plunging temperatures create treacherous conditions on the roads.
Moderate wind will continue for much of the west tomorrow blowing some snow showers away, however sleet or possible snow is expected over the Peak District, Staffordshire, Shropshire, Midlands, parts of Wales and later the south west tomorrow – with one to six inches of snow forecast by the Met Office.
The likelihood of snow increases over Tuesday night into Wednesday with a cold weather front pushing in from the west and making large areas of snow possible for Northern Ireland, Wales, Midlands, East Anglia and parts of southern England – although it is not yet clear where the majority of snowfall will land.
And 2021 could begin with a clear and fresh start as a blanket of snow may appear on the ground for January 1 across the east of England.
Today drivers were warned to avoid heading out unless it is vital after three inches of snow caused chaos on Britain’s roads and forced motorists to abandon their cars.
So heavy was the snowfall in Gloucestershire, it prompted the local police to warn members of the public to take care and to ‘only go out if it is essential to do so’.
The force had a number of reports of snow around the county causing disruption. Staffordshire Police also warned of ‘serious disruption’, with several roads in the area impassable.
Swan Pool Park is busy with people sledding on December 28, 2020 in Stourbridge, as heavy snowfall covered the West Midlands
Children build a snowman at Swan Pool Park, in Stourbridge, as weather warnings were put in place across the country
Archie, 13, and his sister Isla, six, build a snowman in a park in Newcastle-under-Lyme, Staffordshire, today
A person rides on a sledge at Swan Pool Park on December 28 in Stourbridge
Brothers William (front) and Konrad sledge in the snow in Burford, West Oxfordshire
Snow covering the village of Oulton in Staffordshire. In the aftermath of Storm Bella swathes of the UK are braced for a cold snap
Snow covered fields near the village of Oulton in Staffordshire where a winter wonderland descended today
Crowds of people sled down the hill at Swan Pool Park, Stourbridge, today
Large areas of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland were placed under a yellow snow and ice weather warning by the Met Office for Monday and Tuesday (pictured left). The warning is extended into Thursday 31 for the south (right)
Meanwhile, roads were closed in parts of Lancashire, Shropshire and in Wales this morning. Near Stoke-on-Trent, the A500 has been closed at its junction with the A34. There are also reports of cars being abandoned on the A53 at Etruria and in Hanley, according to the BBC.
Londoners have so far avoided the snow, but awoke to temperatures of 0C (32F) this morning.
Large areas of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland were earlier today placed under a yellow weather warning by the Met Office, who warned of more snow.
The warning has now been extended and updated. The Met Office’s new snow and ice warning, which runs until 6am on the morning of New Year’s Eve, covers a large belt of central and western England, part of Wales and up to Scotland.
The yellow alert warns of snow and ice, with councils and highways authorities up and down the country already sending gritters out this afternoon in a bid to keep roads clear.
Drivers have already faced delays on motorways today, including on the M56 between Chester and Manchester, where only one westbound lane remained open this morning due to snow.
Highways England officials were deployed to help a trucker on the same motorway after the lorry driver lost control on the eastbound carriageway near Lymm.
North West Motorway Police have reported at least three crashes on the M60 this morning, one on the M6 and one on the M56. In one post on Twitter, they said: ‘Just a reminder to drivers, it is very slippy on the roads today.’
One lane of the M6 in both directions was closed between Stoke and Warrington at around 11am to allow snow to be cleared of the carriageway. The northbound M5 near Junction 1 at Bromsgrove, Worcestershire, was brought to a standstill after an incident in the snowy conditions.
Police in Lichfield said the Burntwood bypass, between the M6 Toll and Miners Way, had also been closed due to a crash.
Two cars are involved in an accident in heavy snow near the village of Burford in Oxfordshire, south England, which was blanketed overnight
The M5 Motorway near Junction 1 at Bromsgrove was brought to a standstill after an incident in the snowy conditions. Traffic was brought to a safe stop in a rolling roadblock. Gritters were also spotted with snow ploughs on the three lane motorway which had effectively been reduced to 2 lanes due to the weather.
Roads were closed in parts of Lancashire and in Wales this morning after heavy snow hit overnight. Londoners have so far avoided the snow, but woke up to temperatures of 0C (32F) this morning. Pictured: Snow in Oxfordshire today
North West Motorway Police have reported at least three crashes on the M60 this morning (pictured one of the crashes), one on the M6 and one on the M56. In one post on Twitter, they said: ‘Just a reminder to drivers, it is very slippy on the roads today.
Police today shared a picture of a lorry which had become stuck on the roadside off the junction five slip-road of the westbound M54 today
Air travel is also reportedly disrupted at Manchester Airport, with pictures showing snow either side of the runway
A fire crew pushes a stranded paramedic’s car up a snowy hill in the West Midlands this morning, as she tries to make it into work for her day’s shift
Parts of the UK were already blanketed on Sunday after Bella battered regions overnight on Boxing Day. More snow fell overnight, including in Birmingham (pictured)
Other areas were also hit with snow today, including in Hindley, Wigan, this morning, as forecasters warn of more snow on the way
Manchester was also hit by snow overnight, with a warning for snow and ice set to remain in place until 6pm today
One yellow warning, covering the north-west of England, Scotland and Northern Ireland, forecasts snow and ice today
Areas of the north, including Wigan and Barrowford (pictured here this morning) were today blanketed in snow
Large areas of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have today been placed under a yellow weather warning by the Met Office, who say snow and ice could be on the way this afternoon. Pictured: Snow in England today
Pictures show snow in Stoke-on-Trent in the Midlands today, as experts predict more snow for later on, including in parts of the south
One yellow warning, which covers London, the Home Counties, most of the west Midlands and Wales, forecasts snow and ice, says: ‘An area of rain is likely to move south through Sunday night and Monday across parts of England and Wales.
Snow covering the village of Oulton in Staffordshire, in the aftermath of Storm Bella swathes of the UK have been hit by ice and snow
The warnings are set to last until 6pm on Monday. Pictured: Cars are covered in snow as heavy snow falls down on the West Midlands over night
A driving instructor in the West Midlands removes snow off the top of his car after heavy snowfall in the West Midlands overnight
There are also warning of delays on trains through the north-west and the Midlands due to snow, while there is currently a tree down in the Stoke area, causing delays. The clearance work is said to be taking longer than usual due to the snow.
Air travel is also reportedly disrupted at Manchester Airport, with pictures showing snow either side of the runway. One passenger said his plane had been waiting on the tarmac for three hours.
A spokesperson for Manchester Airport told Manchester Evening News that said aircraft being de-iced before departure was causing a minor delay to some flights and is ‘standard procedure’ in these weather conditions.
In the West Midlands, Dudley Zoo said it would be closed on Monday after heavy snow overnight.
And there could be more disruption to come. In the Met Office yellow warning for southern England, Wales and the Midlands, it says: ‘An area of rain is likely to move south through Sunday night and Monday across parts of England and Wales.
‘There is the potential for this to turn to snow for a time. There is a lot of uncertainty in where snow develops with some areas seeing little or no accumulations.
‘However, there is a very low likelihood of 1-3 cm, and locally 5-10 cm falling in a few places, particularly over higher ground of Wales.’
The warning for north-west England, Northern Ireland and Scotland, says: ‘A band of rain, sleet and snow followed by wintry showers will move south across western and central parts of Scotland and Northern Ireland on Sunday evening and then into parts of northern England and north Wales early on Monday morning.
‘Localised accumulations of 1-3 cm are possible to lower levels but higher accumulations are likely over higher ground. Above 250 metres, accumulations of 5-10 cm are possible.’
The warnings are set to last until 6pm on Monday. Along with travel disruption in the north and the midlands, there has also been travel issues in the south.
Rail operator Southeastern announced just after 7.15am that trains towards London were unable to run between Maidstone East and West Malling because of ice causing power supply problems.
‘The freeze is making it difficult to get electricity through to the third rail – in conjunction with Network Rail, our staff were trying to clear the ice to get trains moving again’ they said.
By 8.30am, a train had run through and cleared the line through West Malling, and services were running again but delayed by up to 60 minutes and subject to change.
Rail operator Southeastern announced just after 7.15am that trains towards London were unable to run between Maidstone East and West Malling because of ice causing power supply problems. Pictured: A jogger out in the snow around Bolton today
Southeastern managed to get a de-icer train to run through to Sevenoaks but warned trains were still likely to be delayed or change routes through Tonbridge. Pictured: Cyclists out in the snow around Bolton today
Meanwhile the bad weather has continued to hit power supplies this morning – 273 homes were blacked out near Penzance. Pictured: People walk through the snow in Keele, Staffordshire
Around 300 homes were hit by a power cut at Launceston in Cornwall today, and another 300 families were left with no heating or lights near Worcester. Pictured: Snow falls on a house in Bolton today
Police warned roads will be ‘treacherous’ as snow falls on hidden ice patches. Pictured: A child walks through the snow in Keele, Staffordshire
Daniel Brym, aged 8, and his sister Emma, aged 4, and their mother Alicja, sledging on Camp Hill, Woolton, Liverpool, after snow fell overnight.
Daniel Brym, aged 8, and his sister Emma, aged 4, sledging on Camp Hill, Woolton, Liverpool, after snow fell overnight
While there is disruption on the roads today, some have taken the opportunity to enjoy the snow. Pictured: people sledging on Camp Hill, Woolton, Liverpool, after snow fell overnight.
And it was not just children getting out their sledges to enjoy the snow this morning. Two people are seen here sleding in the snow in Keele, Staffordshire
Horses on the gallops in the snow at Sam Drinkwater’s Granary Stables in Upper Strensham, Worcester after snow fell overnight
The snow continued to fall in parts of England today. Pictured: Horses on the gallops in the snow at Sam Drinkwater’s Granary Stables in Upper Strensham, Worcester
A dog walker walks her dog for the first time in the snow as heavy snow falls down on the West Midlands over night
While London has so far avoided snow, despite it being part of the yellow warning, temperatures in the city were at 0C today and there was fog (pictured)
Snow covered hills near Stoke-on-Trent in Staffordshire today, as people woke up to a blanket of snow on the December Bank Holiday
A man walks through the snow in Keele, Staffordshire, today after large parts of the country were hit with freezing cold temperatures overnight
There were also problems on the line between Tonbridge and Sevenoaks where ice hit services.
Southeastern managed to get a de-icer train to run through to Sevenoaks but warned trains were still likely to be delayed or change routes through Tonbridge.
At about 8am, there were delays of up to 40 minutes and a warning services were ‘still likely to be altered at short notice’.
Meanwhile the bad weather has continued to hit power supplies this morning – 273 homes were blacked out near Penzance and 300 at Launceston in Cornwall, and another 300 families were left with no heating or lights near Worcester.
Police warned roads will be ‘treacherous’ as snow falls on hidden ice patches.
One Thames Valley Police traffic officer said: ‘It will be like a skidpan and we are braced for lots of accidents. People must slow down and not drive like idiots.’
The fresh warnings come after Storm Bella ravaged the country with high winds and heavy rain.
Parts of the UK were already blanketed on Sunday after Bella battered regions overnight on Boxing Day.
Hikers in snow on Bleaklow Moor in the Peak district of Derbyshire, after days of wet and wintry weather across the Christmas break, with a cold snap and icy conditions still to come
Snow surrounds the Falls of Dochart at Killin in Stirlingshire as cold weather hits Britain this week, with some temperatures hitting -6C
Storm Bella battered parts of the North West and Cumbria this morning with strong winds and heavy snow showers. This comes as forecasters warn of weeks of wintery conditions
Red deer stand in the snow in Glence, Scotland, after much of the country was blanketed on Sunday in the wake of Storm Bella
Snow plough spreads grit as it passes through Killin, Stirlingshire, where the Met Office has issued yellow weather warnings
Snow is set to fall in the UK as the Met Office issues warnings across the country hours after Storm Bella hit. Pictured: A snow plough travels along the A82 in Glencoe, Scotland on Sunday
Waves crash over Newhaven Lighthouse and harbour wall on the south coast of England as Storm Bella rages on this morning
Fresh snow covered Buachaille Etive Mor in Glencoe in white, as high winds and rain besieged much of the country with Storm Bella
Pictured: A tree came crashing down on this Rolls-Royce in Hove yesterday as high winds caused havoc across the country
Parts of the UK were already blanketed on Sunday despite Bella brining high winds and heavy rain overnight. Pictured: Red deer enjoying the snow at Glencoe, Scotland
Severe flood warning was issued for areas along the River Great Ouse near Bedford by Environment Agency on Christmas Day
The Met Office has issued a snow warnings for parts of Scotland. Pictured: A man clears snow from a driveway in Stirlingshire
In Ballymena, Northern Ireland, a huge snowstorm fell on Sunday evening, lining the streets as many stayed at home
Glencoe was covered in a thick blanket of snow while much further south people were also out clearing drives in parts of Stirlingshire in the Central Belt on Sunday morning.
Nenthead in Cumbria was similarly wintry, with snow covering the hills of the village.
Through Sunday evening and into Monday, meteorologists are warning the snow and ice could also pose a risk to more central and southern areas of England.
Further into the week and towards the New Year conditions will remain cold with sunshine and the possibility of wintry showers, the Met Office said, adding that rail journeys may be affected and roads are likely to be icy.
A cold snap and icy conditions still to come as Britain braces for a cold end to 2020. Pictured: hikers making the most of the stunning views in the Peak District
Severe flooding in Little Paxon, St Neots, in Cambridgeshire where much of the region woke up to flood waters this morning
A motorist stops to take a closer look at the red deer in the snow alongside the A82 in Glencoe, Scotland, on a wintry day across the country
It warned that ice is likely to form on untreated surfaces within the warning area on Sunday following the heavy rain from Storm Bella, while colder weather in Scotland will turn showers to snow.
On Monday, as rainfall moves south across England and parts of Wales, the rain may turn to snow, the Met Office said.
It added that there was a likelihood of 1-3cm or even 5-10cm of snowfall in some places.
While skies are expected to clear overnight on Sunday, the ice is likely to remain.
The snow came as winds caused by Storm Bella reached more than 100mph overnight, while rain lashed the UK.
Two threat to life flood warnings remain in place in Northamptonshire after days of wintry weather across the Christmas break, with a cold snap with icy and wintry conditions still to come.
People in areas that have suffered major flooding in recent days are among those who can expect snow, The Sun reported.
The top wind speed was recorded at the Needles on the Isle of Wight where it reached 106mph overnight on Saturday.
Aberdaron in north west Wales experienced gusts of 83mph, and locations on the south coast of England, including Dorset, got close to 80mph.
Elsewhere in the UK, there was severe flooding with fire crews dispatched to rescue those were caught out or left stranded by flood waters.
As well as the stormy conditions, temperatures will stay frosty in some parts into next week, prompting health professionals to offer advice on how to keep safe in colder weather.
Dr Ishani Kar-Purkayastha, consultant in public health at Public Health England said: ‘Heat your home to at least 18C if you can, particularly if you have reduced mobility, are 65 and over, or have a health condition such as heart or lung disease.’
Storm Bella follows relatively calm and cold conditions across the UK on Friday, which saw a white Christmas for some more northerly parts of the country.
