The United Kingdom is experiencing its first significant winter blast, with blizzards, ice, and freezing temperatures causing widespread disruption. The Met Office has issued eight yellow snow and ice warnings covering Devon, Cornwall, Kent, the east coast, East Anglia, north-east England, south-west and north-west Wales, Northern Ireland, and northern Scotland. A rare amber alert is in place for the North York Moors and Yorkshire Wolds, warning of blizzards and up to 25cm of snow on hills.
Hundreds of schools have closed, particularly in Aberdeenshire where over 90 schools shut, and in Wales where 36 schools closed in Pembrokeshire. Roads across northern England are blocked or treacherous, including the A1 between Morpeth and Alnwick and the A171, with police advising against travel to Malton, Scarborough, Whitby, and Filey. Drivers are urged to make only necessary journeys and to drive slowly and smoothly.
The coldest night of the season was recorded, with temperatures dropping to -6.6°C at RAF Benson in Oxfordshire and -6.4°C in Sennybridge, Powys. The Met Office warns that temperatures could fall to -10°C in rural Scotland on Thursday night. 'Thundersnow' has been observed in Aberdeenshire and off the north-east coast, with a risk of more on Thursday.
The UK Health Security Agency has an amber cold health alert in force for northern England until Saturday morning. However, the snowy weather has also brought opportunities for photography, snowmen, and sledging, and bookmaker William Hill has shortened odds for a White Christmas, offering 6/5 in Aberdeen and 7/4 in Newcastle.
