Snow and ice expected as fresh weather warnings issued across UK
Snow and ice are expected to continue to batter the UK as fresh weather warnings have been issued by the Met Office.
After a week of winter weather has brought travel disruption and school closures, the cold spell is forecasted to cover most of the nation on Thursday and Friday.
Yellow weather warnings are in place for the majority of Wales and Northern Ireland, as well as large parts of the east of England, from 4pm on Thursday until 10am on Friday.
A separate warning covering south and west Wales down to Plymouth from 3am to 11am Friday is also in place.
A yellow warning for snow and ice in Scotland, which was due to end at midnight, has been extended until 10am on Friday.
The Met Office has warned to expect icy patches on untreated roads, pavements and cycle paths, as well as scattered wintry showers.
Snow and strong winds have already caused significant disruption in parts of the UK.
Hundreds of schools in Scotland and around 90 in Wales were shut on Thursday.
Transport for Wales closed some rail lines in the country due to track damage following a period of “heavy wind, rain and snow”. Bus replacement services are operating instead.
Manchester Airport closed both its runways on Thursday morning “due to significant levels of snow” but they were later reopened.
The airport warned that some flights may be delayed, and advised passengers to check with their airline for the latest information.
At least 14 departures and five arrivals scheduled to operate at the airport today have been cancelled.
A Met Office spokesperson said it is “expecting tonight to be another very cold night”.
The agency said Wednesday night’s coldest temperature was recorded at Shap in Cumbria at minus 11.2C. Temperatures had been forecast to plummet as low as minus 16C.
As icy conditions persist, motorists are being urged to stick to major roads that are most likely to have been gritted.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has extended its amber cold weather health alert for all of England until Sunday. They said a rise in deaths is likely given the continued weather warnings.
Dr Agostinho Sousa, head of extreme events and health protection at the UKHSA, said: "This weather can have a serious impact on the health of some people, including those aged 65 and over and those with pre-existing health conditions, and it is therefore vital that we continue to check in on friends, family and neighbours that are most vulnerable.
“These people could be more at risk of heart attacks, stroke and chest infections as a result of cold temperatures.”
The country has also seen widespread flooding in recent days and a danger to life flood warning was issued for Barrow upon Soar in Leicestershire as firefighters had to rescue dozens of people stranded in rising water.
Scores of flood warnings and alerts remain in place for England, but hundreds have been removed and the weather is set to be drier over the next few days.
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