The UK has experienced its first significant winter blast, with snow, blizzards, and freezing temperatures causing widespread disruption. Hundreds of schools have been closed, roads blocked, and power cuts reported across the country. The Met Office 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 warning was in place for the North York Moors and Yorkshire Wolds, predicting up to 25cm of snow on hills and occasional blizzards. In Scotland, Aberdeenshire was worst hit with over 90 schools closed. Wales saw 57 closures, mainly in Pembrokeshire, Carmarthenshire, and Ceredigion. About 30 schools in North Yorkshire, eight in East Yorkshire, and several in Northumberland also shut.
Road closures included the A1 northbound near Morpeth and the A171, with police advising against travel to Malton, Scarborough, Whitby, and Filey. Drivers were urged to make only necessary journeys, especially in North Yorkshire and Pembrokeshire where conditions were described as “extremely hazardous.” The AA advised slowing down, as stopping distances can increase tenfold on ice.
The Met Office reported the coldest night of the season, with lows of -6.6C in Oxfordshire, -6.4C in Powys, and -2.8C in Co Antrim. Thursday night could see -10C in rural Scotland. “Thundersnow” was observed in Aberdeenshire and off the north-east coast. An amber cold health alert remains for northern England until Saturday.
Temperatures are expected to rise towards the weekend, bringing wetter and windier weather. Bookmaker William Hill shortened odds on a White Christmas, offering 6/5 in Aberdeen, 7/4 in Newcastle, and 7/1 in London. Despite the disruption, some embraced the snow for sledging and photography.
