Snow and ice expected as UK braces for ‘first taste of winter’

Motorists and commuters are being warned of disruption with weather warnings for snow and ice in several areas across the UK.

Snow started falling across parts of the country on Monday in what BBC Weather says is likely the “first glimpse of the season”.

There are currently three yellow warnings in place for snow and ice in northern Scotland, northern England, and parts of Northern Ireland, the Midlands and north-east Wales.

Around 103 schools in the Powys, Wrexham and Flintshire areas of Wales as well as several others in Lincolnshire have closed due to the weather.

National Rail said various Northern services could be impacted until at least 14:00 GMT, while National Highways has issued an amber severe weather alert for snow on roads and motorways in the North East and North West regions of England.

It said up to 15cm of snow was possible on roads including the M56 in Manchester and the M1 at Leeds and Sheffield.

The Met Office warnings for parts of Northern Ireland is place until 10:00, while the warning for areas in the East Midlands, Yorkshire and north of England lasts until 11:00.

The warning in northern Scotland lasts until 10:00 on Wednesday.

The early hours of Monday saw snowfall in northern Scotland and the coldest temperatures since last winter, with minus 7.8C logged in Tulloch Bridge, in the Scottish Highlands.

On Tuesday, many areas across North Wales, the Midlands, Lincolnshire and Oxfordshire awoke to a covering of snow, a “winter wonderland in places”, BBC Weather said.

The morning also saw around 103 school closures in Wales and several others across Lincolnshire due to the heavy snowfall overnight.

Temperatures in the coming days will be much lower than the mid-November average by day – and are expected to reach below freezing by night.

They are predicted to drop to -2C in London on Friday, -4C in Birmingham and -7C further north.

BBC Weather says forecasting snow is difficult at lower levels, especially in mid-November when the ground and surrounding seas are still relatively warm compared to midwinter.

By this coming weekend, forecasters are expecting the cold air to be replaced by milder south-westerly winds – with potentially wet and very windy weather sweeping in.

As the wetter weather moves northwards there remains the risk of some snow, before it quickly thaws.

“Although not expected to settle as the snowy weather edges further south, it is likely to be the first glimpse of the season,” BBC Weather presenters Helen Willetts and Carol Kirkwood said.

“Wrap up warmly.”

Darren Clark, National Highways’ severe weather resilience manager, advised drivers: “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.”

Slippery conditions will be a hazard on untreated roads and pavements, BBC Weather also warned.

The UK health security agency (UKHSA) has said there is an increased risk to vulnerable people, warning the weather could have an impact on the whole health service.

It has issued an amber cold weather health alert for the East Midlands, West Midlands, North East, North West and Yorkshire and the Humber.

“It is vital to check in on vulnerable friends, family and neighbours to ensure they are well prepared for the onset of cold weather. Particularly if they are elderly or otherwise at increased risk,” Dr Agostinho Sousa, head of extreme events and health protection at UKHSA, said.