The cold snap continues across many parts of the UK, with sub-zero temperatures expected to drop even further compared to last weekend’s heavy snowfall.
Forecasters warn of the coldest nights of the year ahead, with temperatures potentially plummeting as low as -20°C in certain areas over the next two days. A series of yellow weather warnings remain in effect, including an ice warning for parts of northern Wales, central, and northern England, valid until 12:00 GMT on Wednesday.
Although flooding has caused significant disruption in central England, no further rainfall is expected in the affected areas, allowing floodwaters to gradually recede.
An amber cold weather health alert, the second-highest level, is in place for all regions of England until midday on Sunday. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has issued this warning, citing a likely increase in health risks, particularly among older and vulnerable people, as well as a surge in demand for healthcare services.
Dr. Agostinho Sousa of the UKHSA emphasized the importance of checking on vulnerable individuals. "Cold temperatures can increase the risk of heart attacks, strokes, and respiratory infections," he said.
As of Wednesday morning, there were 102 flood warnings in place, indicating flooding is expected, and 199 flood alerts, meaning flooding is possible, across England. Wales had one flood warning and six flood alerts in effect.
On Tuesday night, temperatures fell below freezing across most of the UK, with widespread frost on Wednesday morning. The lowest temperature recorded overnight was -7°C at Tulloch Bridge in Scotland. Northern Ireland also experienced its coldest night of the winter, with -6.6°C in Katesbridge. In England, Shap, Cumbria recorded -6.3°C, while southern areas such as Benson, Oxfordshire experienced -6.1°C. The lowest temperature in Wales was -3.7°C in Bala, Gwynedd.
Ongoing travel disruption
Travel was severely disrupted on Tuesday, with delayed flights, road closures, and railway issues due to the wintry conditions. In Leicestershire, a man had to be rescued from a flooded caravan park in Barrow upon Soar, highlighting the ongoing impact of flooding in the Midlands.
With no significant rainfall expected in flooded regions, the focus is shifting to how low temperatures will drop, especially at night. Yellow ice warnings covering Tuesday night into Wednesday morning advise caution due to likely snow and ice in Northern Ireland and parts of northern and western Scotland. Another yellow warning for snow affecting parts of southern England comes into effect at 09:00 on Wednesday and lasts until midnight. Up to 10 cm (4 inches) of snow may fall in areas such as Exmoor and Dartmoor, while higher ground in southeast England could also see some snowfall later on Wednesday.
The severe winter weather has caused widespread disruption since snow blanketed much of the country over the weekend. Hundreds of schools were closed across England, Scotland, and Northern Ireland, including those in Yorkshire, Merseyside, the Midlands, and Aberdeenshire.
Most flights have resumed after temporary suspensions at Liverpool, Bristol, Aberdeen, and Manchester airports, but operators continue to warn of potential delays. Major roads, including the A1 in Lincolnshire, remained closed on Tuesday afternoon due to severe flooding. Photo by David Hawgood, Wikimedia commons.