UK weather live: Road and rail chaos as almost 200 schools closed after severe snow alert issued
National Highways warned of disruption as London saw snow fall on Tuesday morning
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Your support makes all the difference.The UK has been hit with travel chaos and school closures with up to 15cm of snow expected to fall in some parts of the country.
Motorists are facing disruption and train services have been cancelled as the Met Office issued three yellow weather alerts for snow and ice covering much of northern England.
National Highways warned of snow disruption for the North east and North west until 10am on Tuesday - with 10-15cm expected to fall on some motorways.
Meanwhile, National Rail warned the cold climate would impact various routes on the Northern Rail until at least 2pm on Tuesday.
So far some 130 schools in Powys, Flintshire, Denbighshire and Wrexham have reported that they will be shut today.
In the England, including places like Yorkshire, Derbyshire and Warwickshire, around 40 schools have closed so far.
A yellow snow and ice warning is currently in place until 10am on Tuesday covering Northern Ireland.
Another yellow alert is in place until 10am on Wednesday, covering areas in Scotland, and a third lasts until 11am on Tuesday covering areas in the East Midlands, Yorkshire and the north of England.
On Monday morning, London saw snowfall as commuters made their way to work.
Met Office forecast:
This Evening and Tonight:
Rain and snow will affect Northern Ireland, England and Wales, the snow more especially over high ground across Northern Ireland, Northern England and North Wales. Scotland will have clear periods, with wintry showers in the north. Turning icy in places.
Tuesday:
Rain and snow will clear eastwards to leave plenty of sunshine tomorrow. Wintry showers feeding into areas exposed to the cold northerly winds, that wind gusty near North Sea coasts.
Outlook for Wednesday to Friday:
Remaining cold with a mix of sunshine and wintry showers. Widespread, locally severe night frosts, with ice forming in places. Feeling especially raw in the breeze.
Roads to be gritted ahead of more forecast snow
National Highways Severe Weather Resilience Manager, Darren Clark said: “Gritters will be out treating our roads around the clock when ice or snow is forecast, but it is still important to drive to the conditions.
“Keep your distance and reduce your speed, because even in conditions that seem normal, and where the snow is not settling, it can be slippery if ice patches have formed, or where fresh grit has not been worked into the carriageway.
“Drivers should plan their journeys, monitor weather reports and pack a snow kit of blankets, food, water and a shovel.”
Met Office warns of travel disruption
The Met Office has warned commuters that their journeys may be disrupted this evening and tomorrow morning after snow fell in some parts of the country.
The forecasters said on social media: “If you’re planning to be on the road, take extra care and be prepared for difficult driving conditions.”
Weather to turn ‘much colder’ this week
As the snow showers expected to fall on Monday night clear, things are about to get colder for much of the UK, the Met Office has said.
It revealed that daytime temperatures will be in the low single figures for most, potentially slightly less cold in the far south, though sub-zero wind chill is likely.
Despite the cold temperatures, there will be a good deal of sunshine away from the wintry showers near the coasts.
How to keep your dog safe and warm as the winter snow and ice sets in
Temperatures are due to drop dramatically over the coming days and we need to be mindful about how this chilly weather may affect our pets.
The Met Office has issued several yellow weather warnings for snow and ice for parts of the UK this week, so it’s important to prepare our dogs, as well as ourselves, for this forecast.
From diet to grooming, here are some things to bear in mind to keep your four-legged friends safe and well this winter…
- Keep their paws well-groomed: Paws are very sensitive to temperature changes, so try to give them some extra care and attention this winter.
- Be aware of winter hazards: Antifreeze is great for defrosting your car in a hurry, but make sure you keep it out of reach from your pets.
- Shovel the garden: If it snows this year, consider shovelling a patch of grass so your dog can go to the toilet comfortably and not get too cold.,
- Try to avoid overfeeding them: The winter months can lead to a reduction in the amount of activity your dog gets and can result in them piling on the pounds.
- Keep them active: Play fetch in the living room to keep your dog active if your dog doesn’t want to venture outside in the cold.
Snow falls across UK
Snow has fallen across parts of the UK after the coldest night of the season so far.
Temperatures dropped to minus 7.8C in Tulloch Bridge, Scotland, in the early hours of Monday, which is the lowest temperature the UK has seen since last winter.
Cold temperatures, ice and further snow feature on the forecast for the coming days in what the Met Office deemed is the country’s “first taste of winter”.
Snow dusted grounds across Scotland, including at the Glenshee Ski Centre near Braemar and at Corgarff, both in Aberdeenshire, as well as alongside the A939 near The Lecht in the Cairngorms.
Snow also blanketed the mountain of Ingleborough, while frost covered berries in bushes near Clapham, in the Yorkshire Dales.
Met Office spokesperson Nicola Maxey said snow has mostly fallen on hilltops so far on Monday - with 2cm falling in Lerwick, Shetland.
But more snow and ice is expected over the coming days, with temperatures plunging to below average levels for the time of year.
“It is going to be quite a widely cold week,” Ms Maxey said. “A few degrees below average both day and night for most of the country.”
Pictured: Snowfall across UK
Met Office issues weather warning update
A snow and ice warning is in place for much of Northern Ireland between 3pm on Monday and 10am on Tuesday, as well as between 7pm on Monday and 10am on Tuesday for northern England.
In northern Scotland, including Orkney and Shetland, a snow and ice warning is in place between 4pm on Monday and 10am on Wednesday.
Up to 10cm of snow may accumulate on higher ground by Monday morning, the Met Office said. In northern England, up to 20cm of snow could fall overnight into Tuesday morning.
Watch: UK braces for ‘disruptive snow’, ice and cold temperatures
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