Arctic Freeze Grips Britain With Temperatures Set to Plummet
Britain is bracing for one of the coldest nights of the season as temperatures are forecast to drop to a bone-chilling -12C in some areas. The Met Office has maintained multiple weather warnings for snow and ice across the UK, with concerns growing about the impact on transport, power supplies and education services.
Widespread Disruption Across the Country
More than 100 schools and nurseries have closed in northern Scotland due to the severe weather conditions. In North Yorkshire, 33 schools remained shut while eight faced complete closure in East Yorkshire. The situation in Wales is equally concerning with 30 schools closed in Pembrokeshire, 14 in Carmarthenshire and seven in Ceredigion.
The National Grid reported hundreds of properties in Wales have lost power, adding to the misery caused by the freezing conditions. Commuters across the UK have been urged to exercise extreme caution when travelling, with icy patches expected on untreated roads, pavements and cycle paths.
Record Low Temperatures and Snowfall Measurements
Meteorologists confirmed that the country remains firmly in the grip of a cold Arctic air mass. Overnight temperatures already reached concerning lows, with RAF Benson in Oxfordshire recording -6.6C and Sennybridge in Powys dropping to -6.4C. Scotland experienced similar conditions with Dundreggan in Inverness seeing temperatures fall to -6.4C.
The Met Office reported significant snowfall across various regions. A weather station in Altnaharra in the Scottish Highlands measured 9cm of snow, while Dyce in Aberdeenshire recorded 6cm. Other affected areas included Aviemore in Invernesshire (5cm), Lake Vyrnwy in Powys (4cm), Boulmer in Northumberland (3cm) and Bodmin in Cornwall (2cm).
Transport Chaos and Emergency Responses
Transport networks have been severely impacted by the wintry conditions. In North Yorkshire, authorities advised drivers to only make essential journeys after heavy snowfall overnight disrupted roads and bin collections. The A90 in Aberdeen was closed in both directions between the Cleanhill roundabout and Stonehaven roundabout due to snow, with police reporting multiple stranded vehicles.
Emergency services responded to several incidents, including an overturned car on the A19 near Sunderland. Pembrokeshire County Council warned of extremely hazardous conditions on most roads in the area, with several routes including the B4329 Preseli Road forced to close.
The UK Health Security Agency has activated an amber cold health alert for parts of England, which will remain active until Saturday. This reflects serious concerns about the potential impact on health and social care services during this prolonged cold spell.
Weather experts also reported instances of thundersnow - a rare phenomenon where thunderstorms form in wintry conditions causing heavy snow downpours. This was observed in Aberdeenshire and off the north-east coast yesterday, with further occurrences possible today.
Met Office chief forecaster Steve Willington stated: We're still in the grip of a cold, Arctic air mass today and into Friday, and that means further wintry showers for some, and ice, particularly overnight. Temperatures will fall sharply again tonight, with lows potentially reaching -12C in rural parts of Scotland and widely below freezing elsewhere.
Looking ahead, forecasters predict a gradual shift to milder conditions over the weekend as Atlantic-driven weather patterns return. However, the Met Office continues to monitor Wales and the Midlands where saturated ground conditions may increase the likelihood of flooding as temperatures begin to rise.
