Snow and travel delays expected as Arctic blast hits UKon March 9, 2023 at 3:19 am

- Advertisement -
- Advertisement -
- Advertisement -
- Advertisement -

People across the Peak District and Pennines are being warned of potential disruption on Thursday.

A row of snow-covered houses in Aberbeeg, Wales on WednesdayImage source, Getty Images

Forecasters have warned of heavy snow and travel disruption as a wave of Arctic air brings icy conditions to central and northern England.

An amber warning affecting an area between Stoke-on-Trent and Durham is set to come into force at 15:00 GMT on Thursday.

The warning indicates a likelihood of travel delays, power cuts, and that some rural communities will be cut off.

It comes after the UK recorded its coldest March temperature since 2010.

The area affected by the amber warning includes the Peak District, Leeds, the Yorkshire Dales, and the North Pennines.

The Met Office said around 10-20cm (4-8in) of snow is likely to fall across much of the area, with 30-40cm (12-16in) in some parts, and to be accompanied by “strong winds bringing blizzard conditions”.

The amber warning is not set to be lifted until midday on Friday.

Less severe yellow weather warnings for snow and ice remain in place for much of the rest of the UK. These mean journey times are likely to be longer and icy patches on untreated roads and pavements are expected.

National Highways in England has issued a severe weather alert for snow in the North West, North East and Midlands between 09:00 GMT on Thursday and 08:00 GMT on Friday.

Road users are being warned to plan ahead for possible disruption and that challenging conditions could include poor visibility.

This video can not be played

To play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser.

Motoring organisation the RAC has urged drivers to take the weather warnings seriously and to work from home if possible.

Those with no choice should make sure tyres are properly inflated, and oil, coolant and screenwash are topped up, it said.

National Rail has also warned snowy and icy conditions could affect trains in south-eastern England over the next few days.

Other warnings in place are:

  • A yellow warning for snow and ice is in place across parts of Wales, and southern and central parts of England until 07:00 on Thursday
  • A yellow warning for snow and ice for the Scottish Highlands is in place until 10:00 on Thursday
  • Another yellow warning for snow and ice in the south east of Scotland, from Edinburgh down to Newcastle upon Tyne, is in place until 07:00 on Thursday
  • A yellow warning for just snow is in place from 07:00 on Thursday until 14:00 on Friday, taking in Northern Ireland, parts of Wales, central and northern England, and the Scottish central belt.
Skip twitter post by BBC Weather

The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.

BBC Weather’s Jennifer Bartram says the cold spell is due to a change in wind direction “with northerly winds bringing cold air down from the Arctic”.

She said although it was not unusual to have snow and cold weather at the start of March, “this feels like a bit of a shock to the system after what was a mild and relatively dry February for most”.

Picture showing two shirtless men and a woman in a swimming costume walking across a field covered in snow

Image source, PA Media

A snowy mountain reflects off water at Lochcarron in the Highlands

Image source, BBC Weather Watchers/Ingrid

A child stands in the middle of a row of three snowmen with their arms held out to the side

To prepare for the cold spell, two coal-fired power stations have begun generating power again.

The plants in West Burton in Lincolnshire were due to close last September, but the government requested they stay open for an extra six months because of fears of possible power shortages.

Some ski resorts in Scotland have opened runs after the heavy snowfall, with Snowsport Scotland saying it hoped the recent weather would be “the start to another boost for the mountains”.

“Looking at the forecast, this could be our biggest week of the year,” said Alison Grove from Snowsport Scotland.

A runner braves freezing conditions in a park in Blackwood, Wales

Image source, Getty Images

Snow settles on Glastonbury Tor in Somerset

Image source, PA Media

Picture showing a number of women in swimming costumes standing in shallow water at King Edward's Bay near Tynemouth on the north east coast

Image source, PA Media

A level-three cold alert has been issued by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) for the whole of England and will remain in place until midnight on Thursday.

Dr Agostinho Sousa, the agency’s head of extreme events and health protection, advised people to check on vulnerable relatives, adding that pensioners or anyone with an underlying health condition should heat their home to at least 18C (64F).

Veterinary charity PDSA advises giving dogs and cats extra blankets for their beds over the winter months. Raised beds can keep older dogs away from draughts, while cats may like high-up dens.

Motorists drove through heavy snowfall on the M5 near Taunton, Somerset

Image source, Ben Birchall

A Scottish terrier plays in the snow on the Dunstable Downs in Bedforshire

Image source, PA Media

A horse walks through the snow in Colpy in Aberdeenshire

Image source, BBC Weather Watchers/Doric

- Advertisement -

Discover

Sponsor

Latest

Late England burst sets up final-day thrilleron August 15, 2021 at 5:38 pm

The second Test is set for a grandstand finale after England make late inroads into the India batting on the fourth day at Lord's.

Tokyo Olympics: Kenya’s Eliud Kipchoge wins men’s marathon – retaining his Olympic titleon August 8, 2021 at 12:49 am

Watch the final moments of the men's marathon as Kenya's Eliud Kipchoge wins gold at Tokyo 2020 and retains his Olympic title.

Alireza Akbari: Iran executes British-Iranian dual nationalon January 14, 2023 at 7:59 am

Britain's prime minister Rishi Sunak says the execution was a callous and cowardly act by a barbaric regime.Image source, EPABy Emily McGarvey and Aoife...

Super Bowl 2020 Ideas – What to Do in the Event of a New Super Bowl

It is a matter of the fans being excited over the Super Bowl again. There are various people who are now looking for the...

Ramsay Hunt syndrome: ‘It’s taken away my independence’on June 13, 2022 at 4:03 pm

Justin Bieber recently revealed he's been diagnosed with the condition, which is linked to shingles.