The Met Office has cautioned that the harsh Arctic cold snap will endure for about a week, with daytime temperatures barely reaching above 0°C. A widespread coverage of cold Arctic air is currently affecting most parts of the UK, leading to snow settling in some regions and a forecast of extensive frost and ice until the following week.
Neil Armstrong, the chief forecaster at the Met Office, highlighted the persistence of very cold weather across the UK, with overnight temperatures dropping below minus double figures in some areas and daytime temperatures struggling to reach 0°C. This cold spell is anticipated to continue into the next week, causing wintry hazards that may prompt additional weather warnings, urging people to stay informed and plan ahead.
Temperatures plummeted to -6.2°C in Hurn, Dorset, and are expected to decrease further. Multiple weather warnings are in effect for various UK regions until Sunday, including an amber alert for heavy snow in northern and eastern Scotland. Freezing winds from the north will escalate the risk of drifting snow, posing potential dangers for drivers, accompanied by a widespread ice hazard as cautioned by the Met Office.
A yellow warning for snow and ice on Saturday encompasses the East Midlands, Yorkshire and the Humber, and the North East, with potential for stranded vehicles, particularly in rural areas. The warning issued by the Met Office indicates expectations of sleet and snow moving southeastward across England and Wales, leading to likely snow accumulations in certain areas and the rapid development of icy patches post-sleet and snow clearance.
Concurrently, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has raised cold weather health alerts to “amber” across England due to concerns regarding the heightened risks faced by the elderly and vulnerable individuals in the severe conditions. Existing “yellow” alerts in the Midlands and South have been upgraded to amber, aligning with the agency’s expectations of significant health service impacts from the prolonged cold spell, affecting the North as well. The agency anticipates an increase in mortality rates among individuals aged 65 and over and those with chronic health conditions.
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