A major winter weather system is causing significant disruption across the United Kingdom, with heavy snow, treacherous ice and severe cold triggering a wave of school closures, travel cancellations and official health warnings.
Widespread Travel Disruption and School Closures
The return to work and school after the Christmas break has been severely hampered by the conditions. Four amber warnings for heavy snow are active across northern Scotland until Monday morning, with yellow warnings for snow and ice covering Northern Ireland, Wales and much of England.
Forecasters from the Met Office warn that up to 30cm of snow could accumulate on high ground in Scotland overnight, with a high risk of travel disruption and rural communities becoming cut off. In response, all schools on the Shetland Islands will be closed on Monday, while schools in Aberdeen will not open until 11am.
Loganair was forced to cancel flights from Inverness and Aberdeen airports on Sunday, offering customers fee-free changes to their travel plans. Transport Scotland and Police Scotland have urged motorists to plan ahead, drive with extreme caution, and consider whether journeys are essential.
Officials Issue Stern Warnings and Thanks
Scotland’s transport secretary, Fiona Hyslop, addressed the challenging conditions. "We’ve already seen challenging conditions and freezing temperatures, with more snow and ice on the way for the same areas," she stated. She advised those who must travel to ensure their vehicle is winter-ready and to carry a winter kit.
Hyslop also took the opportunity to thank the frontline workers, including gritter lorry drivers, chainsaw teams, and police officers, who had been working tirelessly over the weekend to maintain safety and clear routes.
Matthew Lehnert, a Met Office chief meteorologist, indicated that while the cold spell continues, milder air will attempt to move eastwards from Tuesday. "This will mean rain becomes more likely in the south, but there is also the possibility of more organised snow along the boundary of the mild and cold air masses," he added, noting that strong winds could also develop later in the week.
Cold Health Alerts Activated for Vulnerable
The severe weather has prompted significant health concerns. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has issued amber cold health alerts across the whole of England, which remain in place until Tuesday.
Agostinho Sousa, the UKHSA's head of extreme events and health protection, emphasised the serious risks posed by the low temperatures. "The forecast temperatures can have a serious impact on the health of some people, leading to increased risk of heart attacks, strokes and chest infections," he warned. He urged the public to check on elderly relatives, friends and neighbours, particularly those over 65 or with pre-existing health conditions, who are most vulnerable during such cold snaps.
