Snow and Ice Expected to Disrupt UK Travel with Warnings Issued
Travel disruption is expected across the UK on Friday due to snow and ice, with yellow warnings in place and amber warnings for northern Scotland from midday Friday.
Yellow warnings cover areas including London, Greater Manchester, Cardiff, and there is a separate yellow warning for ice in southwest England until 10am on Friday.
Snow totals are forecast to reach about 2 cm in some areas and up to 5 cm on higher ground, with heavier bands potentially bringing up to 20 cm on low ground and 40 cm on higher ground.
Amber warnings remain in force for Scotland until noon Saturday, where conditions could result in power cuts and stranded vehicles. Heavy snow showers may merge into longer spells accompanied by windy, drifting conditions.
Heavy snow has already affected the Highlands and northeast Scotland on New Year’s Day, with blizzard-like conditions anticipated from Friday into the weekend.
Travel impacts include longer journey times by road, bus, and train. The AA estimates 20.7 million car journeys across the UK on 2 January, an increase from 18 million on New Year’s Day.
The Met Office expects the cold spell to persist into the weekend and next week, with further warnings possible as temperatures remain well below average and snow showers continue.
Additionally, the UK Health Security Agency has issued warnings for England until 10am on 6 January, cautioning of significant impacts on health and social care services and a rise in deaths among those aged 65 or older or with pre-existing health conditions.
