The United Kingdom is facing significant travel disruption as a severe cold snap brings heavy snow and widespread ice, prompting the Met Office to issue a series of urgent weather warnings.
Amber Alert for Northern Scotland
An amber weather warning for snow is now in force for parts of the Highlands and north-east Scotland, active from midday on Friday, January 2nd, until noon on Saturday. Forecasters warn this is where the most disruptive conditions are expected, with the potential for power cuts and vehicles to become stranded.
Blizzard-like conditions are predicted for Friday, with snow accumulations potentially reaching up to 20cm on low ground and 40cm on higher terrain. The Met Office stated that heavy snow showers will become more frequent and may merge into longer spells, with strong winds causing drifting and temporary blizzard conditions.
Widespread Yellow Warnings
Beyond the amber zone, extensive yellow warnings for snow and ice blanket much of the country. These cover northern Scotland, Northern Ireland, and stretch southeastwards over parts of England and Wales.
Specifically, a yellow warning was in place for London, Greater Manchester, Cardiff and surrounding areas throughout Friday morning. A separate ice warning for southwest England ran until 10am. In these regions, around 2cm of snow could fall generally, with up to 5cm on higher ground.
The wintry weather has already caused problems, with heavy snowfalls creating difficulties for motorists in Scotland on New Year's Day.
Travel Advice and Health Risks
Authorities are urging the public to exercise extreme caution. Chief Superintendent Scott McCarren, Police Scotland's head of road policing, advised: "Our advice is to plan ahead and consider if your journey is really necessary during the bad weather or if it can be delayed until conditions improve."
The AA estimated that 20.7 million car journeys were likely across the UK on January 2nd, following a quieter New Year's Day, increasing the risk of widespread disruption.
Furthermore, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has issued a cold weather alert for England until January 6th. Officials warn the severe conditions are "likely" to significantly impact health services and could lead to a rise in deaths among vulnerable groups, including the elderly and those with pre-existing health conditions.
Dr Paul Coleman of the UKHSA emphasised the dangers, noting that exposure to such low temperatures increases risks of heart attacks, strokes, and chest infections. He urged people to check on vulnerable neighbours and relatives.
The Met Office confirmed that the cold spell is expected to persist into the weekend and next week, with further warnings likely as temperatures remain well below average.
