Snow and ice to blast London TODAY: Yellow weather warning in effect

Snow and ice to blast London TODAY: Met Office issues yellow weather warning for South East with map showing areas which will be hit by Arctic blast – as snow hits Yorkshire and Scotland

  • Temps will hit -10C in parts of the UK as an Arctic blast moves across the country
  • Yellow weather warning is in effect for parts of Scotland and northern England
  • READ MORE: Below freezing temps could continue in Scotland until March 11 

Snow and ice will hit London today as an Arctic blast will cause temperatures across the UK to drop below freezing tonight.

A yellow weather warning will be in place for London, the Thames Valley, East Anglia, parts of the Midlands and South Wales from 9pm tonight until 10am tomorrow.

An identical one will be in place in Northern Ireland at the same time.

Temperatures will plummet to -10C tomorrow in parts of the country as up to 30cm of snow could fall in isolated spots across Scotland. Other areas could see 10-20cm of snow fall. 

A level three cold weather alert has been triggered as the Met Office warns that sub-zero temperatures could pose a severe risk to vulnerable individuals.

Snow and ice will blast London today as an Arctic blast will cause temperatures across the UK to drop below freezing tonight. The Met Office has extended its yellow weather warning for snow and ice to include much of England, Wales and Northern Ireland

BRAEMAR: Snow fell on the A93 today as parts of Scotland are under a yellow weather warning for snow and ice

MORAY: Fresh snow covered parts of Scotland, including near the Lecht ski centre in Moray, today as the Met Office warned more snow and ice for the next two days

BALLATER: Skiers and snowboarders take advantage of the snowfall at Glenbshee ski center today as parts of Scotland are under a yellow met warning for snow and ice

The Met Office has extended its yellow weather warning for snow and ice to include much of England, Wales and Northern Ireland today as Britain shivers through the coldest day of the year.

Up to 4 inches of snow will fall across northern England and Scotland today. The front will bring the threat of sleet and snow in the Midlands and southern England later in the week. 

The forecasting body said temperatures in parts of the UK will drop below freezing tonight and will not top mid-single figures during the day tomorrow or Wednesday.

A warning for snow and ice is already in place in much of Northern and Eastern Scotland and North East England. The area covered by it is set to extend as far south as Hull from tomorrow before it lifts at 10am on Wednesday.

Met Office spokesman Grahame Madge said temperatures could drop to -1C in Manchester and 2C in London tonight.

Even colder overnight conditions are set to hit cities later in the week with the mercury plunging to -4C in London and -6C in Birmingham and Belfast.

Forecasters say temperatures are likely to stay far below average for early spring for much of the week. Below freezing temperatures are predicted to continue until March 11 at least amid a sudden stratospheric warming (SSW) event.

CORGARFF: Cars got stuck in drifting snow along the A939 today near Corgarff, Scotland

NORTH YORKSHIRE: A light dusting of snow covered the Tan Hill Inn this morning. Britain will shiver through the coldest day of the year today with snow and ice set to freeze swathes of northern England and Scotland

SHETLAND: A view of the snowfall in Shetland this morning. Forecasters say high ground areas of northern Scotland can expect the most snowfall, possibly reaching depths of four inches

SHETLAND: Snow is seen in Shetland, Scotland – the northernmost region of the United Kingdom – this morning

LONDON: People walking around London Bridge in the rain and freezing temperatures this morning

Mr Madge said conditions could be similar to those experienced during a cold snap in December 2022 and may not lift for almost a fortnight.

He said: ‘Temperatures will be much, much colder than we would expect at this time of year.

‘The pattern will set in for some time. We have got this feed of cold air coming in from a much higher latitude.

‘We expect these conditions to remain in place until at least next weekend and possibly longer because sometimes these conditions can be quite stubborn and not easily subject to change.’

The Met Office warned travel disruption is likely and journey times by car, train and bus may take longer than usual. 

The risk of snow further south into England will grow from tomorrow. It might only start feeling milder in southern England from Friday but areas further north could stay chilly into next week.

Met Office forecaster Craig Snell said the air was ‘coming pretty much straight from the Arctic, which is especially cold at this time of year’. 

He added: ‘I would imagine you will see some sleet or snow in the south of England, even if it doesn’t cause any great disruption.

‘But we are keeping a close eye on it.’

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has placed north-east England, north-west England and Yorkshire under a level three cold weather alert, with the rest of England at level two, until midnight on Thursday.

TYNE AND WEAR: Daredevils thought nothing of the icy temperatures today as they played and dodged in 20 foot high waves on Whitley Bay’s Lower South Promenade

TYNE AND WEAR: Huge waves crashed over the prom at Whitley Bay this morning as walkers and fishermen could be seen running from the crashing waves

TYNE AND WEAR: Thrill-seekers stood on a man made structure this morning as waves at the Whitley Bay crashed over and splashed their group

NORTH YORKSHIRE: The yellow weather warning, which started at 6pm yesterday, extends to Wednesday. Snow in Tan Hill is pictured this morning

NORTH YORKSHIRE: The risk of snow further south into England will grow from tomorrow. It might only start feeling milder in southern England from Friday but areas further north could stay chilly until into next week. Snow in Tan Hill is pictured this morning

SHETLAND: A German Shepherd runs through a snow-covered garden in Scotland today

NORTH YORKSHIRE: A light dusting of snow covered a car in Tan Hill this morning. The UK is bracing for more bad weather in the coming days

Daredevils brave icy temperatures to play in huge waves on promenade 

Daredevils thought nothing of the icy temperatures today as they played and dodged in 20 foot high waves on Whitley Bay’s Lower South Promenade.

The thrill-seekers were clearly having the time of their lives, as the waves crashed over the man made structure and splashed their group.

‘They were having a daft laugh, it was really funny to watch. Most of them got wet,’ said photographer Gren Sowerby, from Whitley Bay, Tyne and Wear, who captured the action.

‘It was bitterly cold but really good fun, I wouldn’t want to have been on that promenade.’ 

The Met Office has issued snow warnings for this week, as northerly airflow is set to bring disruptive weather.

A level three alert means there is a 90 per cent chance of severely cold weather, icy conditions or heavy snow, which could increase the health risk to vulnerable patients.

People are at risk of slipping and falling on icy patches of untreated roads, pavements and paths while some rural communities could become cut off from the power grid.

Mr Madge said: ‘This is a disruptive spell of weather which could have quite serious consequences for some.

‘Listen to the forecast, take account of weather warnings and expect to see some potentially disruptive conditions wherever you are.’

The UKHSA has urged people to look out for those most at risk from cold weather such as those with medical conditions or aged over 65.

Britons are encouraged to ensure vulnerable residents have access to warm food and drinks and are managing to heat their homes adequately.

Dr Agostinho Sousa from the UKHSA advised: ‘During periods like this, it is important to check in on family, friends and relatives who may be more vulnerable to the cold weather, as it can have a serious impact on health.

‘If you have a pre-existing medical condition or are over the age of 65, it is important to try and heat your home to at least 18C if you can.’

Experts also advise avoiding exposure to cold or icy outdoor conditions if you are at a higher risk of cold-related illness or falls.

SHETLAND: Snow-covered homes and yards in Shetland, Scotland this morning. Some residents reported school closures and cancellations to school bus routes

MORAY: Cars are seen driving along the snow-covered A939 this morning near the Lecht Ski Centre in Moray, Scotland

MORAY: Snow is seen along the A939 this morning. The Met Office has warned of more snow and ice over the next two days

LONDON: A commuter walks across Westminster Bridge in central London today as Arctic air moves over the country possibly leading to the coldest temperature of the year so far

LONDON: It will feel as cold as -4C in parts of the UK as a front of Arctic air works its way down the country. London Bridge is pictured this morning


LONDON: Commuters around London Bridge this morning as cold weather has hit the capital

LONDON: Parts of England could also be in for cold and snowy weather this week. Commuters are pictured in the rain and freezing temperatures this morning

SHETLAND: Snow fell on the beach in Shetland, Scotland this morning

The plunging temperatures are the latest cold snap to hit the UK as it battles with soaring energy bills during the cost-of-living crisis.

The UKHSA said for those struggling with the rising costs, it provides free advice on energy efficiency and national grants to help warm homes.

It advised that wearing several layers of thinner clothing will keep people warmer than wearing one thick layer, and that consuming hot food and drinks is also effective.

It comes after Provisional Met Office figures also showed that England had its driest February in 30 years.

The United Kingdom as a whole had less than half the monthly average rainfall, at 45 per cent, with 43.4mm falling.

The coldest temperature recorded last March was -9.1C in Aboyne, Aberdeenshire while on March 14, 1958 the mercury dropped to a record low of -22.8C at Logie Coldstone, Aberdeenshire. 

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