The United Kingdom has shivered through its coldest night of the season so far, with plummeting temperatures triggering widespread school closures, significant travel disruption, and power outages across the nation.
Widespread Disruption Across the UK
The severe cold snap, which intensified overnight on Wednesday, led to hundreds of schools being forced to close their doors on Thursday. In northern Scotland, approximately 100 schools were closed, while in Wales, the situation was particularly acute in Pembrokeshire with 36 closures, alongside 14 in Carmarthenshire and seven in Ceredigion. England was not spared, with 33 schools closed in North Yorkshire and a further eight in East Yorkshire.
Temperatures reached their lowest seasonal points across several nations. The mercury dipped to a biting minus 6.6C at RAF Benson in Oxfordshire, while Sennybridge in Powys, Wales, recorded minus 6.4C. In Northern Ireland, Altnahinch Filters in Co Antrim saw temperatures fall to minus 2.8C. Scotland's lowest reading was minus 6.4C in Dundreggan, Inverness.
Significant Snowfall and Hazardous Conditions
The Met Office reported substantial snow accumulations from the wintry showers. A weather station in Altnaharra in the Scottish Highlands measured 9cm of snow on Thursday. Other notable totals included 6cm in Dyce, Aberdeenshire, 5cm in Aviemore, Inverness-shire, and 4cm at Lake Vyrnwy in Powys, Wales. Even southern areas like Bodmin in Cornwall received 2cm of snow.
The snowfall created extremely dangerous conditions on the roads. In North Yorkshire, authorities urged drivers to only make essential journeys after heavy snow overnight impacted highways and disrupted bin collections. A stark example of the perilous driving conditions occurred in Sunderland, where a car overturned on the A19.
Pembrokeshire County Council warned of "extremely hazardous conditions on most roads" in the area, with several routes closed, including the B4329 Preseli Road. The council also reported that 631 properties were left without power due to the severe weather.
Ongoing Weather Warnings and Forecast
An amber weather warning for snow remained in effect for the North East until 9pm on Thursday. The Met Office cautioned that frequent wintry showers could lead to "significant snow accumulations," potentially leaving vehicles stranded, causing further power cuts, isolating rural communities, and delaying public transport.
Additionally, eight separate yellow weather warnings for snow and ice were active across other parts of the UK, covering Northern Scotland, South West Wales, and Cornwall. Despite the ongoing disruptions, the Met Office forecast a change, stating that later on Thursday would be "cold and crisp" with dry conditions and sunny spells for many areas. A spokesman added that after a widespread frost overnight, the risk of snow would diminish as temperatures turn slightly milder on Friday.
