The United Kingdom has woken up to widespread disruption after experiencing the coldest night of the season so far, with heavy snowfall forcing hundreds of school closures and creating hazardous travel conditions across multiple regions.
Widespread School Closures and Temperature Records
Hundreds of educational institutions have been forced to shut their doors as the freezing conditions took hold overnight. In northern Scotland, approximately 100 schools remained closed on Thursday, while Wales saw significant disruptions with 36 closures in Pembrokeshire, 14 in Carmarthenshire and seven in Ceredigion.
England's North Yorkshire reported 33 schools closed, with an additional eight fully closed in East Yorkshire. The deep freeze saw temperatures plummet to seasonal lows across Northern Ireland, England and Wales, with RAF Benson in Oxfordshire recording minus 6.6C, Sennybridge in Powys reaching minus 6.4C and Altnahinch Filters in Co Antrim dropping to minus 2.8C.
Scotland experienced similarly frigid conditions, with Dundreggan in Inverness recording the nation's lowest overnight temperature at minus 6.4C.
Travel Chaos and Power Outages
The heavy snowfall has created dangerous travel conditions across multiple regions. In North Yorkshire, authorities have urged drivers to only make essential journeys after overnight snow affected roads and disrupted bin collection services.
A car overturned on the A19 in Sunderland during snowy conditions on Thursday morning, highlighting the perilous driving environment. Pembrokeshire County Council warned of "extremely hazardous conditions on most roads" throughout the area as snowfall continued.
Several key routes in Pembrokeshire have been closed, including the B4329 Preseli Road, while vehicles are blocking the B4314 from Tavernspite to Cold Blow. The council confirmed that 631 properties are currently without power due to the severe weather conditions.
Weather Warnings and Forecast
The Met Office has issued multiple weather warnings across the UK, with an amber alert remaining in place for the North East until 9pm on Thursday. Forecasters warn that frequent wintry showers could lead to "significant snow accumulations," potentially leaving vehicles stranded, homes without power, rural communities cut off and public transport facing major delays.
Eight yellow weather warnings for snow and ice are active across various parts of the UK on Thursday, covering Northern Scotland, South West Wales and Cornwall. The weather service reported substantial snowfall measurements, with Altnaharra in the Scottish Highlands recording 9cm of snow, Dyce in Aberdeenshire receiving 6cm, and Aviemore in Invernesshire seeing 5cm.
Wales and England also experienced significant accumulation, with Lake Vyrnwy in Powys reporting 4cm, Boulmer in Northumberland 3cm and Bodmin in Cornwall 2cm. The Met Office also confirmed sightings of "thundersnow" - where thunderstorms form in wintry conditions causing heavy snow downpours - in Aberdeenshire and off the north-east coast on Wednesday.
A Met Office spokesman indicated that "there is a risk we could see more today off the coast of eastern Scotland and north-east England." Despite the current conditions, forecasters predict that temperures will turn slightly milder on Friday, with many areas experiencing dry and fine weather with long spells of sunshine after another widespread frost overnight.
