UK weather live: Freezing rain to turn to snow across England as Met Office urges travel caution

The phenomenon of freezing rain - commonly known as ice storms in North America - is not often seen in the UK because the conditions needed for it are quite specific, according to the Met Office.

Freezing rain is rainfall that has become “supercooled” as it falls from the sky, travelling through various temperatures in the atmosphere.

It starts as snow, ice, sleet or hail high up in the atmosphere, but as it travels down it melts through a layer of warmer air, then refreezes again through a layer of colder air near the surface.

It can produce striking effects, as the rain drop spreads out momentarily across the surface before it freezes, encasing the surface in a layer of clear ice.

Alexander Butler reports:

In its weather warning, which is in force from 6am until 2pm on Saturday in northeastern parts of England, the Met Office states:

Outbreaks of rain, sleet and snow are likely to develop early Saturday before easing from the west during the afternoon. Snow is more likely to the east of the Pennines, particularly above 150 metres, where 2-5 cm may accumulate over the North York Moors and Northumberland.

To lower levels, any falling snow may struggle to accumulate though some places may see up to 2 cm before gradually easing during the afternoon. There is also a risk of ice over the Pennines, particularly above 200 metres where freezing rain is possible.

With the Met Office warning of travel disruption as a result of the forecast snow and ice this weekend, our veteran travel correspondent Simon Calder also has the following warning for anyone seeking a half-term getaway to warmer climes.

As the UK’s cold snap and gloomy weather are expected to persist through the weekend, focusing on our health has never been more crucial.

Despite the cold, there are many effective ways to enhance your health and wellbeing during these winter months.

By boosting your immune system, staying active, and fuelling your body with seasonal foods, you can maintain vitality even when the temperatures drop.

Camilla Foster has more details:

The picture across the UK remains chilly even at the height of the day tomorrow, with only parts of South West England in which the mercury is approaching double-digits.

With a band of rain hitting the UK in addition to chilly temperatures, the Environment Agency is warning of flooding in southern England.

The agency has issued three flood warnings – where flooding is expected – and a further 28 lesser alerts in areas where flooding is possible.

No flood warnings have been issued by the relevant agencies in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland.

According to the Met Office:

The cold air will still be close by through Sunday and Monday. Southern parts of the UK will be mostly dry but cloudy, but further north rain, drizzle and some hill snow will continue in places.

Brighter conditions with spells of sunshine are likely to develop for many areas on Tuesday before milder and more unsettled conditions begin to move in from the Atlantic during the second half of next week.

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has issued a cold weather alert covering parts of North East England, Yorkshire and the Humber.

Cold temperatures are set to persist across the UK this weekend, with some heavier rain also forecast in southern Wales and southwestern England.

The icy conditions are expected to have minor impacts on health and social care services, and will pose a greater risk to the lives of vulnerable people, the UKHSA warns.

According to the UKHSA, the icy conditions are expected to have minor impacts on health and social care services, including:

• increased use of healthcare services by vulnerable people
• greater risk to life of vulnerable people

Britain is braced for snow, ice and freezing rain this weekend - a rare phenomenon which can bring down trees and ground planes, the Met Office warned.

Alexander Butler reports: