Warnings have been issued for heavy snow and freezing rain over the weekend, with icy weather expected to cause disruption across large parts of the UK.
Two amber and two yellow alerts have been issued by the Met Office across most of the country for both Saturday and Sunday.
Forecasters say power cuts are likely and that vehicles could become stranded on roads as wintry conditions continue. Trains and flights could also be delayed or cancelled.
Weather warnings are in place across the UK – but some wild swimmers are still braving the cold. Pic: PA
There is a “good chance” that rural communities could be cut off, with up to 30cm of snowfall expected in some areas, the Met Office said. Some “significant accumulations” of snow are possible in parts of the Midlands and the North.
Jason Kelly, Met Office chief forecaster, said that freezing rain – when rain instantly freezes on cold surfaces on the ground – is also a risk in those areas, but even more so in Wales, and could lead to “treacherous conditions in places”.
Icy conditions earlier in the week are being considered by police as a possible factor in a collision in Lincolnshire on Thursday night, in which a seven-month-old baby was killed.
Where are the Met Office amber warnings in place?
- From 6pm Saturday to midday Sunday, an amber warning for snow and freezing rain covers most of Wales and central England, including the Midlands and Liverpool and Manchester in the North West
- From 9pm on Saturday to midnight on Sunday, a second warning for snow covers most of northern England, including Leeds, Sheffield and the Lake District
Between 3cm and 7cm of snowfall is predicted widely in both areas, while snow may mix with rain at times in lower-lying areas, forecasters said.
Less severe yellow warnings also cover most of England, Wales and Scotland, and part of Northern Ireland, covering different periods of time throughout the weekend.
Meanwhile, cold weather health alerts issued by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) also remain in place across England ahead of a week of low temperatures.
Amber alerts will run until 8 January, meaning a rise in deaths is likely, the agency said.
Dr Agostinho Sousa, the agency’s head of extreme events and health protection, said the low temperatures could have “a serious impact on the health of some people, including those aged 65 and over and those with pre-existing health conditions”.
He urged people to “check in on friends, family and neighbours that are most vulnerable” who could be more at risk of heart attacks, strokes and chest infections.
A frosty Phoenix Park in Dublin, Ireland, where weather warnings are also in place. Pic: PA
Several snow-ice warnings have also been issued across Ireland. Significant snowfall accumulations are expected in Carlow, Kilkenny, Wicklow, Clare, Limerick and Tipperary for 24 hours from 5pm on Saturday, forecasters at Met Eireann said, creating difficult travelling conditions and poor visibility.
Anyone planning to travel over the weekend is advised by National Highways to check their vehicle, keep their distance on the roads, and pack a “snow kit” of blankets, food, water and a shovel.
Network Rail has said there is a specially equipped winter fleet to keep the railway running throughout winter, while UK airports have also been making preparations for the cold snap.
Some football games have already been called off this weekend, including Cheltenham’s match against League Two leaders Walsall, Halifax’s National League home game against Fylde, and Friday night’s Scottish Championship game between Airdrie and leaders Falkirk.
Saturday’s race meeting at Newcastle has also been abandoned due to the course being frozen.
Charity boss Simon Francis, from the End Fuel Poverty Coalition, has given his advice to anyone struggling with energy bills during the cold snap, saying people should first contact their energy provider.
“All of them have to have schemes in place to help those people, especially the vulnerable,” he told Sky News.
“It’s not enough. We know it’s not enough. But they do have schemes available, and you should certainly speak to them if you are feeling that your home is getting cold and damp, and you can’t afford to put the heating on.”
Milder air will briefly cover some southern areas during the weekend before colder conditions return next week, the Met Office said.
Temperatures would remain below average, said deputy chief forecaster Dan Holley.