UK weather – latest: Snow and ice warnings as Brits warned conditions ‘worse rather than better’

The current heavy snow across the UK means drivers are facing icy roads and treacherous conditions.

The gritters are out but motorists are still being advised against making unnecessary journeys and to proceed with extreme caution when setting out proves unavoidable.

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Rain, sleet and snow across England and Wales will gradually clear southeast through the morning, clearing most areas by lunchtime, Met Office said today on its website.

“Sunshine with scattered snow showers in the north and east and developing locally inland. Remaining cloudy in the far southwest,” it added.

“Scattered snow showers affecting northern Scotland. Cloudy with outbreaks of rain and hill snow developing in the far southwest. Elsewhere, clear spells with a severe frost over lying snow.”

New maps have revealed where snow will fall as the UK is gripped by freezing temperatures.

As temperatures continue to plummet amidst the Arctic blast, areas across the UK have been swept by snow and ice, with the Met Office issuing weather warnings across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Forecasters have explained that a major change in climate is underway, as Arctic air moves in from the north, bringing snow, ice and freezing temperatures for many.

Experts believe the sudden drop in temperature is being caused by sudden stratospheric warming.

Warnings for snow and ice were issued across northeastern parts of the UK as well as some Northern Ireland and southern and central areas of England and Wales.

Met Office has said that further snowfall has the “potential to cause disruption” on Saturday evening into Sunday.

It has asked Britons to expect possible delays or cancellations to air travel. It has also advised that bus and train services may be delayed or cancelled, with some road closures and longer journey times possible.

Met warned that “untreated pavements and cycle paths might be impassable”.

There is also a chance of injuries from slips and falls on icy surfaces.

Met Office said that “there is a small chance that power cuts will occur and other services, such as mobile phone coverage, may be affected”.

Met Office tweeted that “after a snowy and icy start for some, it will be getting drier and brighter throughout the day, although feeling quite chilly”.

Met Office has said that further snowfall has the “potential to cause disruption” on Saturday evening into Sunday.

It has asked Britons to expect possible delays or cancellations to air travel. It has also advised that bus and train services may be delayed or cancelled, with some road closures and longer journey times possible.

Met warned that “untreated pavements and cycle paths might be impassable”.

There is also a chance of injuries from slips and falls on icy surfaces.

Met Office said that “there is a small chance that power cuts will occur and other services, such as mobile phone coverage, may be affected”.

The current heavy snow across the UK means drivers are facing icy roads and treacherous conditions.

The gritters are out but motorists are still being advised against making unnecessary journeys and to proceed with extreme caution when setting out proves unavoidable.

Read the piece:

Persistent overnight snowfall has stirred long delays on the M62 trans-Pennine motorway.

Frustrated drivers took to Twitter in their droves to share tales from the tailback, with some claiming they had been in the queue for upwards of six hours.

In its latest update, National Highways said there were delays of “at least 3 hours” eastbound between J20 (Rochdale) and J24 (Huddersfield).

“There are delays of at least 90 minutes on the westbound carriageway between J24 and J22,” it said.

The M62, which runs from Liverpool to Hull, is covered by a “severe weather alert” for snow. Similar warnings are in place across the North West, North East and Midlands regions until 8am on Friday.