A BBC weather presenter has made the extraordinary decision to sleep at her workplace rather than attempt a perilous commute home as heavy snow and plunging temperatures cause widespread disruption across the United Kingdom.
Presenter's Unusual Night at the Office
Linda Ludlow, a forecaster based at BBC Plymouth, revealed she was forced to "bed down" in the studios after predicting significant snowfall at her Devon home. Faced with the prospect of dangerous travel on the morning of Wednesday, 7th January 2026, she deemed the risk of "falling over and injuring" herself too great.
"I slept here. I had a sleeping bag," Ludlow stated. "It wasn't worth trying to get here this morning... People couldn't get out, there were abandoned cars, some had crashed." She described the experience as less thrilling than her children imagined, who had likened it to the film Night at the Museum.
Nation Gripped by Arctic Blast
The UK is currently in the grip of an intense cold snap, with the Met Office issuing warnings for snow and ice. Temperatures are forecast to plummet to a bone-chilling -12°C in some northern areas, with the cold spell expected to persist for the next 72 hours.
James Madden from Exacta Weather warned of further "moderate to heavy snow showers" moving southwards, with the potential for "widespread or transient snow" across central and southern regions. The situation is set to be exacerbated by the impending arrival of Storm Goretti, which could combine with the cold front to create blizzard conditions in parts of England and Wales.
Widespread Disruption and Further Warnings
The severe weather has already led to significant travel chaos, school closures, and hazardous conditions nationwide. The public is being urged to exercise extreme caution.
With the Arctic air firmly entrenched and another storm system approaching, authorities are preparing for continued disruption. Residents are advised to stay updated on the latest Met Office alerts and avoid non-essential travel in the worst-affected areas.
