Snow is set to hit the south of the UK this week as children face further school disruption.
After hundreds of schools in northern England and parts of Wales were closed on Monday, the cold snap will continue to grip the country as temperatures dip below -10C.
A fresh weather warning has been issued for snow showers in the east of England until late morning on Tuesday as the Arctic spell of weather enters a third day.
And Brits face further wintry weather later this week as a low pressure system is expected to buffet the country on Thursday and Friday, bringing a ‘multi-hazard event’, according to the Met Office, which could include strong winds, heavy rain and snow.
There is at least a 50 per cent chance of disruptive snow across most of Wales, the Midlands, and parts of the south east and east of the UK during that period, the forecaster says, while there is a 30 per cent chance in the south of the country.
In contrast, the weekend is likely to see temperatures in parts of the UK, including London and Bristol, soar above 11C, warmer than parts of southern Spain.
Nicola Maxey, a spokesperson for the Met Office, said: ‘We have cold, Arctic air over the country and any moisture in the air is likely to fall as snow.
‘As we go into the second half of the week, we are likely to see some less cold air arriving and temperatures creeping up.
Snow is set to hit the south of the UK this week as children face further school disruption
People make their way along a street in Huntly, Aberdeenshire, following heavy snowfall on Monday
A car navigates wintry conditions today along an icy road in Scarborough, North Yorkshire
A mother walks to school with her children in the snow near Birmingham’s Warley Woods on Monday
‘But we are keeping our eye on a low-pressure system which has the potential to bring some impactful weather for the South – potentially with snow on its leading edge – on Thursday into Friday.’
The forecaster’s deputy chief meteorologist Mike Silverstone added: ‘While we’re confident an area of low pressure will move in from the west on Thursday and into Friday, the exact position of that low pressure is uncertain at this stage.
‘The most likely scenario at this stage is for low pressure to track near the south coast. Near and south of the low [pressure area], heavy rain and strong winds are more likely, whilst snow could accumulate to the north as it encounters cold air.’
UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) amber cold health alerts for England are set to run until Friday.
The whole of Scotland, Northern Ireland and northern England remain under yellow warnings for snow and ice, while further warnings cover the east of England and west of Wales, as well as Devon and Cornwall.
Meanwhile, Brits have been told to stay indoors to shield themselves from the extreme temperatures as the mercury is expected to plummet to -12C in some areas overnight into Tuesday.
A mix of rain, sleet and snow will move south-eastwards across Scotland and Northern Ireland into Wales and England as tomorrow progresses.
And Age Scotland’s policy director Adam Stachura said: ‘With such cold temperatures and icy conditions ahead, try and make sure you have enough food and any important medications at home to reduce the need for unnecessary and potentially risky trips.
People skate on a flooded field that has frozen over in Upware, Cambridgeshire, today
The Staffordshire village of Keele is covered in snow today as the wintry weather continues
A crashed Audi car during icy weather in Cheshire this morning as warnings remain in force
‘This is particularly important if you have mobility challenges or are unsteady on your feet.’
Liverpool, Aberdeen, Inverness and Belfast International airports were worst hit by disruption on Monday with a series of cancellations as the conditions blocked runways.
LNER advised rail passengers ‘do not travel’ on the entire East Coast Mainline for the rest of today, while services were also badly affected in Wales and northern Scotland.
Eurostar told passengers going between London and the Netherlands to postpone their journey as services could not operate beyond Brussels due to the weather.
Wintry conditions also blocked trains in Wales between Llandudno and Blaenau Ffestiniog; Machynlleth and Pwllheli; and to Manchester Piccadilly via Shrewsbury.
The UK faces its chilliest night of the winter so far tonight with temperatures falling to -12C (10F), while London faces an exceptionally cold night with -6C (21F) lows.
Temperatures will widely fall below zero again after the mercury fell to -10.9C (12.4F) at Shap in Cumbria last night, making it England’s coldest night of winter so far.
More than 1ft 8in (52cm) of snow has already fallen in the worst-hit parts of Scotland, bringing travel chaos after Met Office amber warnings were imposed.
Wintry conditions in Scarborough this morning as parts of North Yorkshire are hit by snow
Locals have built a full size igloo on the green at Tynemouth in North Tyneside this morning
People make snow angels on a frozen flooded field in Upware, Cambridgeshire, today
Dr Agostinho Sousa, head of extreme events and health protection at UKHSA, urged people to check in on vulnerable friends, family and neighbours.
He warned: ‘The forecast temperatures can have a serious impact on the health of some people, leading to increased risk of heart attacks, strokes and chest infections, particularly for individuals over the age of 65 and those with pre-existing health conditions.’
As many people went back to school or work after the Christmas and New Year period, a string of snow and ice warnings were in place across the UK for today.
The NHS has advised the elderly or vulnerable to stay safe by keeping their home heated to at least 18C, remaining active indoors with gentle movement to improve circulation; and wearing hats, gloves, and warm indoor footwear such as slippers.
Official Government advice states people can reduce the risk of developing medical problems by trying not to sit still for more than an hour or so; and, if they find it difficult to move about, stretching their arms and legs to help keep them warm.
The Trades Union Congress (TUC) urged companies to allow employees to work from home in the snow because no one should be ‘pressured into making dangerous journeys’ and said workers who cannot get to work should not be penalised.
A TUC spokesman said: ‘Good bosses will already have bad weather policies in place so staff know where they stand and recognise the difficulties those with children face when schools are closed.’
Some Brits also reported that their boiler had stopped working this morning due to the cold weather, after the condensate pipe – the white plastic pipe outside – had frozen.
Snow at the Clayton Windmills in West Sussex this morning as temperatures fall below zero
Surfers walk along the snow-covered sand at Tynemouth in North Tyneside this morning
People clear cars after snowfall today at Dufftown in Moray, between Inverness and Edinburgh
Meanwhile many households’ energy bills rose from January 1, with the 0.2 per cent increase to Ofgem’s energy price cap equating to a rise of about 28p a month for the average household in England, Wales and Scotland on a standard variable tariff.
The AA warned of a ‘Manic Monday’ today with 22million cars expected to hit the roads and today predicted to be one of the worst days of the year for breakdowns.
Flat batteries and tyres are expected to be common reasons for callouts, with drivers heading out to cars that have sat idle outside homes over the Christmas period.
Schools in Shetland, Orkney, the Western Isles, Aberdeenshire and many in Moray are shut today.
Some across parts of England, Wales and Northern Ireland were also closed.
In Wales, train services are disrupted between Llandudno Junction and Blaenau Ffestiniog, between Machynlleth and Pwllheli and between Wales and Manchester Piccadilly via Shrewsbury/Crewe, National Rail said.
Train services in northern Scotland will be disrupted until the end of the day on Tuesday, National Rail said.
Stations north of Edinburgh will not be served by LNER until 2pm today, and there will be no ScotRail services on routes between Dundee and Aberdeen; Aberdeen/Elgin and Inverness; and Inverness and Kyle of Lochalsh/Wick, until at least midday.
LNER also said: ‘Due to multiple disruptions today, we are advising customers DO NOT TRAVEL on the East Coast Mainline until the end of the day.’
Eurostar advised passengers travelling between London and the Netherlands to postpone their journey as services are unable to operate beyond Brussels due to the weather in the Netherlands.
All trains scheduled to depart from the Netherlands cannot run, a spokesperson added.
The Met Office warned that people living in the regions covered by the amber weather warning could expect travel disruption, and that rural communities could become cut off.
Loganair cancelled flights from Aberdeen and Inverness airports following heavy snowfall.
Liverpool John Lennon Airport posted this morning to say the runway was closed due to wintry conditions and some flights were ‘subject to delay and there have been some cancelations’.
And Belfast International Airport said there had been several delays and cancellations today.
Police travel advice has been issued following the weather warnings for snow across north and north-east Scotland.
Assistant Chief Constable Alan Waddell: ‘The forecasted heavy snow showers and ice means driving conditions are likely to be hazardous in some areas.
‘Our advice is to plan ahead and consider if your journey is really necessary during the weather warnings. We continue to work with partners to help our communities impacted by the adverse weather.
‘If you need to travel, please drive to the conditions, be prepared for delays and allow extra time for your journey. Please don’t drive through road closures, the decision to close roads is not taken lightly and is done for public safety.’
The RAC issued advice to those planning to drive during the wintry weather.
Spokesman Rod Dennis said: ‘Drivers must take extreme care, especially those using roads that haven’t been gritted, and should consider delaying their journeys until conditions improve.
‘For those making essential trips, allow extra time to fully de-ice and de-mist your vehicle and leave plenty of space behind the vehicle in front and reduce your speed to give yourself more time to stop.
‘If you do break down, being prepared is vital. Make sure you have warm, waterproof clothing, sturdy footwear, a hot drink in a flask, and a power bank to keep your phone charged.’
