The Met Office has issued two rare amber weather warnings, with heavy snow and ice forecast to hit the UK on Thursday. One warning covers large parts of north Wales and Shropshire from 8am to 3pm, while the second covers the Peak District and southern Pennines from noon to 6pm.
Up to 25cm (10in) of snow is forecast for higher areas, with strong easterly winds causing drifting. Yellow warnings had been in place for Thursday's Arctic blast but were upgraded on Wednesday morning. The Met Office warned that some rural communities could be cut off, and power cuts and loss of mobile phone coverage are possible.
People have been urged not to drive in these conditions. If essential travel is necessary, alternative transport should be considered. Updated yellow snow warnings are in place from 6am Thursday to 6am Friday for northern England, north Wales, and parts of the West and East Midlands, including Wolverhampton, Leicester, Nottingham, and Derby. A separate yellow snow and ice warning for Northern Ireland runs from 10am Thursday to 6am Friday.
In addition to snow, the Met Office has issued a yellow rain warning for southern England and south Wales from 2am Thursday to 6am Friday, with up to 45mm of rain possible on higher ground. Flooding of a few homes and businesses is possible, and transport disruption is expected.
Drivers are advised to reduce speed, leave extra space, and use main roads where possible. Chris Wood from the AA urged motorists to allow extra time and ensure sufficient fuel or charge for electric vehicles. The cold snap follows exceptionally mild weather, with Chertsey in Surrey recording 14.3°C on Tuesday.
