UK weather: Supermarkets CANCEL online food deliveries amid heavy snow and ice
Supermarkets CANCEL online food deliveries as arctic blast brings travel chaos to parts of the UK after temperatures plunged to -10C overnight – with up to six inches of snow set to hit before New Year’s Day
- Drivers are urged to stay off roads with treacherous conditions predicted by AA if thawing snow turns to ice
- Britons in some areas are facing freezing fog with further heavy snow expected up until Thursday morning
- Frustrated shoppers see orders cancelled only to find slots for redelivery are not available for several weeks
- Age UK are concerned about elderly being cut off and urged public to check on any vulnerable neighbours
- Major flooding risk also remains with 104 alerts and 60 warnings issued by Environment Agency for England
- ** Have you taken any photographs of the snow in Britain today? Please email: pictures@mailonline.co.uk **
- ** Got a story about the snow or flooding affecting you? Please email: mark.duell@mailonline.co.uk **
Supermarkets have been forced to cancel online food deliveries after heavy snow and ice brought travel chaos to areas of Britain amid temperatures falling as low as -10C (14F) overnight.
Drivers were urged to stay off the roads with treacherous conditions predicted by the AA as thawing snow turns to ice, with Britons in some areas also expected to face freezing fog patches which will be slow to clear.
More than six inches of snow could fall before New Year’s Day, with the severe conditions affecting shopping deliveries and raising fears vulnerable and self-isolating families could be left without supplies.
A major flooding risk also remains for 170 areas of the country, with 104 alerts and 60 warnings issued by the Environment Agency for England, as well as four alerts and two warnings by Natural Resources Wales.
Bands of rain, sleet and snow were moving across the UK this morning, bringing dangerous driving conditions, particularly around Manchester, Gloucestershire, Wiltshire and Berkshire. It comes as:
- Temperatures this afternoon will be around just 4C to 7C across the UK, turning cold quickly in the evening;
- A low pressure system will see rain meet cold air over Britain, turning to snow over hills and lower areas;
- The Met Office said more fresh warnings are likely to be issued as the cold snap continues into next week.
Britons venting their frustration online reported having orders cancelled only to find slots for redelivery were not available for several weeks amid huge national demand due to people staying at home during the pandemic.
In Congleton, Cheshire, one Tesco customer told how she received a text saying her delivery was cancelled due to ‘severe weather conditions’ at the very moment one of the supermarket’s vans drove past her house.
Cars become stuck on the hills of Sheffield this morning after heavy snow fell on the South Yorkshire city and wider region
A car is followed by a lorry along the snow-hit roads of Cheshire this morning with plenty more wintry weather on the way
A car is crushed by a fallen tree on Bostall Hill in Abbey Wood, South East London, following stormy weather in parts of the UK
Flooding in Mepal, Cambridgeshire, this morning after the New Bedford River burst its banks following the recent heavy rain
People enjoy the wintry weather at Darley Park in Derby this morning as children go down a hill on sledges
The spa town of Buxton turned into a winter wonderland today after overnight snowfall in the Derbyshire Peak District
A postal worker does the rounds in Queensville, Staffordshire, this morning as heavy snow falls on the area
Cars drive along a snowy road at Bishop Auckland in County Durham this morning as wintry weather hits the UK
A woman carefully walks along a road under an umbrella this morning after heavy snowfall across the Sheffield area
A car drives along a flooded road near Apperley in Gloucestershire this morning in the aftermath of Storm Bella
Snow covers the hills of the Peak District near Holmfirth this morning amid the festive flurries in recent days
Snowboarders and skiers make the most of the snow on the Malvern Hills in Worcestershire this morning
Cars and lorries drive along a snowy road in Cheshire this morning as the Met Office issued further weather warnings
Horses on the gallops in the Worcestershire snow this morning at Sam Drinkwater’s Granary Stables in Upper Strensham
Dog walkers go out in the snow on the Malvern Hills in Worcestershire this morning with more of the white stuff on the way
A snow-covered road in West Yorkshire this morning as flurries fall across the Peak District today
A man enjoys the wintry weather on a sledge at Darley Park in Derby this morning after snow fell across parts of the country
Alice Harrison, 37, has since struggled to find another slot for her shielding parents, saying: ‘I thought it was quite premature, it was due at 2pm, and the roads were just slushy when I got the text, they’re completely melted now.’
One Sainsbury’s customer wrote on social media that he and his wife, who are in their 70s and are unable to drive due to health reasons, had their delivery cancelled due to a ‘light scattering of snow’.
Age UK expressed concern about elderly people being cut off by the severe weather and urged the public to check on any vulnerable neighbours.
Caroline Abrahams, Age UK’s charity director, said: ‘We tend to take easy access to food and other essentials for granted, but this Christmas a number of factors are getting in the way.
‘Bad weather, the pandemic and disruption to supply lines from Europe are creating a perfect storm, whereby even the most organised among us can find we’re unexpectedly cut off from things we need.’
Tesco said less than 1 per cent of yesterday’s orders were affected but did admit some had to be cancelled. A spokesman added: ‘Our colleagues are working hard to deliver more online orders than ever before.
A car is pushed up a hill after getting stuck in Sheffield this morning following heavy snow which fell in the city
People enjoy the snow on the Malvern Hills in Worcestershire this morning as the sun shines through the cloudy skies
Snow covered hills above Hope Valley in the Peak District after flurries fell on parts of northern and central England overnight
A snowboarder makes the most of the conditions this morning on the Malvern Hills in Worcestershire
Snow has hit parts of Cheshire today, causing travel disruption and bringing dangerous driving conditions for motorists
Flooding in the Mepal area of Cambridgeshire this morning after the New Bedford River burst its banks amid the heavy rain
A snowboarder sits on the snow on the Malvern Hills in Worcestershire today as people make the most of the white stuff
A woman pushes a pram across a snowy road in Sheffield this morning while another takes care walking
A cyclist goes out on a journey across the Malvern Hills in Worcestershire this morning following heavy snowfall overnight
An aerial view of some of the flooding in gardens at Mepal in Cambridgeshire this morning after a river burst its banks
Snow covered hills above Hope Valley in the Peak District today after the white stuff fell on parts of the Midlands and North
Fields remain flooded near Apperley in Gloucestershire this morning with scores of flood warnings still in place for England
People enjoy the snow on the Malvern Hills in Worcestershire this morning as the country experiences wintry weather
Flooded fields are seen near Apperley in Gloucestershire this morning after heavy rain fell across England and Wales
A snowboarder makes the most of the conditions on the Malvern Hills in Worcestershire this morning
Snow at Cofton Park in Birmingham this morning after flurries fell across the Midlands and North of England
Cars travel along snow-hit roads in parts of Cheshire this morning as the county faces travel disruption
Fields remain flooded near Apperley in Gloucestershire this morning with scores of flood warnings and alerts in place today
An aerial view of flooding in gardens at Mepal in Cambridgeshire this morning after the New Bedford River burst its banks
A jogger goes for a run in the snow and chilly temperatures at Cofton Park in Birmingham this morning
A young boy enjoys the snow on the Malvern Hills in Worcestershire this morning as the Christmas holidays continue
Flooding has caused chaos near Apperley in Gloucestershire today after heavy rain fell over the weekend
A man walks over the snow on the Malvern Hills in Worcestershire this morning as the sun peeks through the clouds
A walker heads down a snow-covered lane in West Yorkshire this morning after overnight flurries
People enjoy the snow on the Malvern Hills in Worcestershire today which has become a wintry landscape
Sheep graze on a snow covered field in West Yorkshire this morning as the Peak District is hit by the white stuff
People enjoying the wintry weather at Darley Park in Derby this morning as they go sledging down a hill
A snow covered lane in West Yorkshire is pictured this morning following overnight flurries in the Peak District
‘However, difficult weather conditions in some parts of the country mean that we’ve had to cancel a very small number of deliveries today. We are sorry for the inconvenience this has caused and would like to apologise to any customers affected.’
In East Lancashire today, there were ‘lots of collisions coming in as the snow falls heavily’, according to Deputy Chief Constable Terry Woods, while Highways England also warned motorists over snow-hit roads.
The cold snap will continue to spread across Britain today and temperatures could plunge as low as -10C (14F) in parts of the country.
The Met Office has issued a yellow warning of snow and ice for much of England and Wales and parts of Scotland after a day of heavy snowfall in some regions, with more wintry weather expected tomorrow and on Thursday.
It said that overnight temperatures into today ‘will tumble towards freezing, perhaps getting as low as -10C in western Scotland where there is a covering of snow’.
Wintry showers could see up to 4in (10cm) of snow fall over the Pennines and North York Moors, according to the weather warning which runs until 10am today.
The Met Office said that most places will see little or no snow, but ‘a slight covering of a centimetre or so is possible in a few places’.
Ben Sheridan, of the AA, said: ‘Thawing snow, rainfalls and freezing temperatures overnight lead to challenging driving conditions, with roads likely to be icy in the morning.’
Fields remain flooded near Apperley in Gloucestershire today after rivers burst their banks amid heavy rain
A snowboarder makes the most of the wintry conditions on the Malvern Hills in Worcestershire this morning
Snow covered hills above Hope Valley in the Peak District this morning, which has turned into a winter wonderland scene
Another view of the car crushed by a fallen tree on Bostall Hill in Abbey Wood, South East London, this morning
Police have taped off the road in Abbey Wood, South East London, today following stormy weather in parts of the UK
People enjoy the snow on the Malvern Hills in Worcestershire today with more flurries on the way later this week
An aerial view of the spa town of Buxton today following heavy overnight snowfall in the Derbyshire Peak District
Horses on the gallops in the snow this morning at Sam Drinkwater’s Granary Stables in Upper Strensham, Worcestershire
Flooding has hit Mepal in Cambridgeshire which is pictured this morning amid fears over river levels still rising
A snowboarder enjoys the wintry conditions on the Malvern Hills in Worcestershire this morning
A dog walker goes for a stroll in the snow through Graves Park in Sheffield this morning as South Yorkshire is hit by flurries
Gardens have been flooded in Mepal, Cambridgeshire, pictured this morning as fears continue over rising river levels
Snow falls at Graves Park in Sheffield this morning as parts of Yorkshire are hit by festive flurries today
People enjoy the snow on the Malvern Hills in Worcestershire this morning as dogs go for a run
Fields remain flooded near Apperley in Gloucestershire this morning amid fears of further flooding in other areas
A jogger goes for a run at Graves Park in Sheffield this morning which was covered in the white stuff
Snow covered hills above Hope Valley in the Peak District this morning after flurries fell in the area overnight
Flooded fields are pictured near Apperley in Gloucestershire today as flood alerts and warnings remain in place
People go for a walk in the snow on the Malvern Hills in Worcestershire this morning
Horses on the gallops in the snow today at Sam Drinkwater’s Granary Stables in Upper Strensham, Worcestershire
A bin lorry drives through a flooded road near Apperley in Gloucestershire this morning following heavy rain
Cars drive along a bridge following flooding in the Mepal area of Cambridgeshire, pictured this morning
A man puts salt grit down on a road in Bishop Auckland, County Durham, this morning following heavy snowfall overnight
But the AA added regional restrictions, which have been imposed due to Covid-19, mean that roads are quieter than normal.
Large swathes of London, the Midlands, the South, South West plus the east of England and Wales have also been warned that snow and ice could hit tomorrow and on Thursday.
The Met Office yellow warning suggests that up to 2in (5cm) of snow could fall across parts of southern Wales, central and southern England, and there is a small chance of 4in (10cm) to 6in (15cm) settling in a few places, most likely on high ground above 650ft (200m).
It comes after much of England and Wales endured a cold and frosty Bank Holiday Monday. Large parts of the country woke up to a fairytale sight yesterday after an icy blast brought snow showers.
But despite the pretty snow scenes, the freezing temperatures brought chaos to roads and railways – with forecasters warning of another dumping.
A 4×4 drives along a snow-covered lane in West Yorkshire as parts of the Peak District have a wintry feel to them this morning
Sheep graze on a snow-covered field in West Yorkshire this morning as the Met Office issues a series of weather warnings
People enjoying the wintry weather at Darley Park in Derby this morning as children are pulled on sledges
Snow covers houses in the Peak District this morning following overnight flurries in the Midlands and North of England
People enjoy the snow on the Malvern Hills in Worcestershire this morning after flurries fell overnight
Snow-covered hills above Hope Valley in the Peak District are pictures this morning following overnight flurries
Snow covers decorative Christmas candy canes in a front garden in West Yorkshire this morning
A young boy enjoys snowboarding on the Malvern Hills in Worcestershire this morning
People enjoying the wintry weather at Darley Park in Derby today following overnight snowfall
A horse stands in a snow-covered field in West Yorkshire this morning as the wintry conditions continue
Snow has settled on the ground in Leeds this morning with more flurries expected over the next few days
Fields remain flooded near Apperley in Gloucestershire today as scores of flood alerts and warnings are still in place
People take their dogs out for a walk in Queensville, Staffordshire, this morning following heavy snowfall overnight
A swan swims across fields that remain flooded near Apperley in Gloucestershire this morning
A flooded road and fields in the Apperley area of Gloucestershire this morning with warnings and alerts still in place
A bin lorry drives through a flooded road near Apperley in Gloucestershire this morning
Fields remain flooded near Apperley in Gloucestershire today as concerns remain over rising river levels
A snow-covered landscape in Sheffield this morning as flurries fall across parts of England today
Flooded fields are pictured near Apperley in Gloucestershire this morning after heavy rain fell over the weekend
Snow in Worcester this morning as forecasters warned more than six inches of snow could fall before New Year’s Day
The festive flurries came after parts of Britain suffered flooding as Storm Bella brought 100mph gales and heavy downpours.
Heavy snowfall prompted Gloucestershire Police to advise the public not to go out unless it was essential.
There was a similar warning in much of the Midlands following a number of crashes, with incidents closing stretches of the M5, M6 and M54 yesterday. Temperatures plunged as low as -6.4C (20.5F) in some areas.
Yet in a magical escape from the pandemic, children and families wrapped up and headed outside to sledge down hills, build snowmen and enjoy snowball fights. And it did not stop swimmers taking a dip in freezing lakes around the country.
The yellow alert covers the East of England, London and the South East, the North West, South West, Midlands and Wales. The icy conditions led to difficult conditions for motorists with many forced to abandon their cars.
Cars drive along the snowy roads at Sale in Cheshire this morning with more flurries still on the way
Heavy snow falls in Edinburgh early this morning as the severe weather brought dangerous conditions to the roads
Snow on the Malvern Hills in Worcestershire this morning as more severe weather is forecast by the Met Office
A group of three joggers go for a morning run in the snow today in Sale, Cheshire, as the wintry weather continues
A blanket of snow covers Leeds this morning with this roundabout looking particularly icy today
Morning snow in Leeds today as the Met Office issues weather warnings covering much of the country
Snow on the Malvern Hills in Worcestershire this morning after flurries fell in many parts of the country
A car is driven up a snowy road in Sheffield this morning as snow falls in the South Yorkshire city today
A blanket of snow covers Leeds before sunrise this morning, with difficult driving conditions for motorists
Traffic moves along icy roads in Leeds this morning after parts of West Yorkshire were hit by snow
Icy roads are pictured in Leeds this morning following snowfall in the West Yorkshire city and further afield
Snow falls in Sheffield this morning as motorists are urged to take extra care if venturing out onto the roads today
A snow-covered bench on the Malvern Hills in Worcestershire this morning with more severe weather on the way
A blanket of snow covers Leeds this morning causing difficult driving conditions for motorists
Police officers speak to a motorist as a blanket of snow covers Leeds this morning following overnight flurries
Snow falls on a street in Leeds this morning as parts of the country are set for further flurries in the next few days
A blanket of snow covers Leeds this morning, with difficult driving conditions on the M62 which is limited to 60mph
A car drives along a snowy road in Sheffield this morning as flurries continue in the South Yorkshire city
A blanket of snow covers Leeds this morning, with difficult driving conditions on local roads as well as the M62
In Staffordshire drivers faced with long delays with some stranded for three hours when traffic came to a standstill on Basford Bank. The council said its gritters had been out overnight but the snow was heavier than forecast, with 3in (7.5cm) falling in some places.
In Liverpool, a driver had a lucky escape after their car flipped over on an icy stretch of the M57 at lunchtime yesterday, causing delays.
Photographs showed the red Fiat 500 lying on its side with its windscreen shattered having ploughed into crash barriers at the side of the carriageway near Prescot. Police said the driver suffered only minor injuries.
Delays were also reported on rail services through Stoke-on-Trent from both Manchester Piccadilly and Birmingham New Street while a landslip caused by torrential rain blocked rail lines and disrupted train passenger services between Reading, Wokingham, Aldershot and Guildford.
There were also delays on Southeastern trains towards London between Maidstone East and West Malling because of ice causing power supply problems.
The Met Office has issued snow and ice warnings for much of Britain today (left) and southern England tomorrow (right)
Snow will fall again across southern England tomorrow, with these three maps showing where and at what time
A major flooding risk remains, with 104 alerts (amber) and 60 warnings (red) issued by the Environment Agency for England
Surfers and swimmers make the most of the calm weather during sunrise at Langland Bay on the Gower Peninsula today
A runner makes his way along the seafront path as the sun rises over the Mumbles lighthouse near Swansea this morning
A woman walks along the sand as the sun rises over the Mumbles lighthouse and pier near Swansea this morning
Surfers and swimmers enjoy the waves during sunrise at Langland Bay on the Gower Peninsula near Swansea today
Meanwhile the bad weather has continued to hit power supplies with 273 homes blacked out near Penzance and 300 at Launceston in Cornwall, and another 300 families shivered with no heating or lights near Worcester.
The weather also led to the closure of Dudley Zoo while a football match between Kidderminster Harriers and AFC Telford United was called off. But it wasn’t all doom and gloom.
Swan Pool park in Stourbridge was busy with sledgers all day yesterday while skiers in Scotland enjoyed the slopes at the Lecht ski centre which was open to locals living in Moray and Aberdeenshire.
Elsewhere, hardy swimmers braved freezing conditions to take a dip in Derwent Water at Keswick in the Lake District.
Gales meant that for the first time more than half of Britain’s electricity was generated by wind power on Saturday. Energy firm Drax said 50.67 per cent of the country’s power was produced by wind turbines on Boxing Day.
** Have you taken any photographs of the snow in Britain today? Please email: pictures@mailonline.co.uk **
** Got a story about the snow or flooding affecting you? Please email: mark.duell@mailonline.co.uk **
