The United Kingdom is grappling with the impact of an Arctic freeze, leading to widespread disruptions, school closures, and travel chaos. The Met Office has issued snow and ice warnings for

significant portions of the country, encompassing Scotland, Northern Ireland, and northern England. These warnings are expected to remain in place until Thursday, as the cold and frosty conditions persist.

The UK Health Security Agency also issued a Cold-Health Alert, highlighting potential impacts on the health and social care sector due to the freezing temperatures.

In Scotland, over 100 schools have been compelled to close due to the severe conditions, with some schools either opening late, facing transport issues, or operating on a partial closure basis. Aberdeenshire reported 22 school closures, while the Highlands witnessed the closure of 75 schools, and 26 schools in Shetland were shut. In England, the freezing weather affected at least 35 schools in Merseyside and several in Manchester.

Commuters faced significant disruptions in both rail and road transport on Tuesday morning. National Highways issued a severe weather alert for snow across the north-west, urging caution and advanced planning for road trips. Rural communities are also at risk of temporary isolation during this cold spell.

Amy Fellows, the national network manager at National Highways, emphasized the hazards associated with freezing conditions, such as snow and ice, and urged travelers to thoroughly plan their journeys, allowing extra time to cope with unexpected challenges.

National Rail warned of potential disruptions in train journeys throughout the week, with ScotRail reporting delays of around 30 minutes on the Highland Mainline route on Tuesday.

Northern Scotland is anticipated to experience significant snowfall of up to 20 cm, while other northern areas may face rain and sleet. A "cold plunge of Arctic air" has affected the entire country, causing temperatures to be 5-6 degrees Celsius lower than usual for this time of the year.

Despite the plummeting temperatures, dry and sunny spells are expected in southern regions. The Met Office forecaster, Craig Snell, predicts a persistent band of snow over three to six hours across Scotland, Northern Ireland, and parts of northern England and Wales on Tuesday.

Met Office chief meteorologist Andy Page warned of widespread frost and the possibility of deep snow accumulation in northern UK areas, with strong winds leading to drifting or blizzard conditions. The disruptive snow and ice may impact travel plans, making driving hazardous and pavements slippery.

The UK government has confirmed eligibility for cold weather payments for thousands of households in England and Wales. These payments are intended for vulnerable individuals, including pensioners, to assist with heating costs when temperatures fall below freezing for seven consecutive days. Affected regions include Cumbria, Oxfordshire, Yorkshire, Northumberland, Norfolk, Staffordshire, and Powys in Wales. Photo by Department of Health and Social Care, Wikimedia commons.