Amber warning issued with ‘good chance’ of travel disruption and power cuts
An amber warning has been issued by the Met Office, with travel chaos expected from snow and ice.
Forecasters say there is a ‘good chance’ of disruption to journeys with potential power cuts also likely.
The new warning – which impacts the north of England – follows a number of yellow warnings for the entire country.
Met Office Chief Meteorologist Neil Armstrong has warned of ‘treacherous’ travel conditions.
He said: ‘While the northerly airflow and cold conditions that have dominated our weather in recent days are coming to a close, there’s a potent mix of wintery hazards on Sunday which has resulted in several warnings being issued.
‘As this milder air from the south moves north, there’s a continued chance of snow, even to low levels, in the north of the UK.
‘Freezing rain, which is a relatively rare phenomenon in the UK, is likely to impact areas near the Pennines and could result in some power interruptions and travel disruptions.
‘Within the Amber warning area, freezing rain could lead to the build up of 2-3mm of ice on untreated surfaces, which is likely to cause treacherous travel conditions and road closures.’
A ‘prolonged period’ of freezing rain is set to sweep through the region on Sunday.
A Level 3 Cold Weather Alert is also in force by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) covering all of England and is currently in place until midnight on Sunday.
Conditions are expected to remain unsettled next week, with some strong winds and prolonged periods of rain.
A yellow warning for rain has also been issued for much of the south and southwest of England, as well as southern Wales.
The warning is in force from late on Sunday through to early Tuesday, with in excess of 150mm of rain possible for high ground on Dartmoor, but more widely 30-80mm within the warning area.
Peter Jenkins, Director of Campaigns at Water UK, said: ‘The recent freezing weather has been very disruptive to many people.
‘The last thing we want is for people to experience further disruption as temperatures rise this weekend, putting many homes at risk of burst pipes due to freeze-thaw.
‘That’s why we’re urging everyone to check their water pipes are well insulated now, and to follow our simple tips to protect homes against weather conditions.
‘If you’re concerned about the impact of freeze-thaw or the cold weather, we encourage you to get in touch with your water company for further help and advice.’
Dr Agostinho Sousa, Consultant in Public Health Medicine at UKHSA, added: ‘Cold weather can have serious consequences for health, and older people and those with heart or lung conditions can be particularly at risk.
‘If you have a pre-existing medical condition, you should heat your home to a temperature that is comfortable for you. In rooms you mostly use such as the living room or bedroom, try to heat them to at least 18°C if you can. Keep your bedroom windows closed at night.
‘Wearing several layers of clothing will keep you warmer than one thicker layer.’
Glasgow Airport was closed on Friday until its runaways were cleared from snow and ice. It reopened at around 11.30am.
Temperatures plummeted to as low as -13.5°C in some areas overnight.
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