Met Office issues ‘risk to life’ weather warning as snow hits UK

Amber weather alerts warn of possible travel chaos, power cuts and ‘the potential risk to life and property’

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UK rings in New Year with snow and ice weather warnings

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The Met Office has issued a “risk to life” weather warning as snow hits the UK, with blizzards set to hit some areas.

Weather alerts in parts of Scotland have been upgraded from yellow to amber by the forecaster, while yellow warnings are in place elsewhere as people face a wintry start to the new year.

During the early hours of Friday morning, a light blanket of snow appeared in Kent and Hertfordshire, as well as in south London.

Up to 40cm of snow could hit some places in Scotland, while winds could lead to temporary blizzard conditions, bringing possible travel chaos, power cuts and “the potential risk to life and property”, according to the weather service.

The upgraded warnings cover parts of the Highlands and northeast Scotland, with frequent and prolonged heavy snow showers expected between noon on Friday and noon on Saturday.

A light dusting of snow in Great Chart near Ashford in Kent (Gareth Fuller/PA Wire)

Forecasters said some delays and cancellations to rail and air travel are likely, as are power cuts and disruption on the roads, while some rural communities could become cut off.

Snow and ice are forecast across much of the UK for the start of the new year, according to the Met Office, with temperatures on New Year’s Day not expected to climb above 5C in Belfast, 7C in London, 6C in Manchester, 3C in Edinburgh and 8C in Cardiff.

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has also warned of a potential surge in deaths, as it issued more severe warnings across England for the cold snap.

Multiple weather warnings for snow and ice are in place for 2 January (Met Office)

The UKHSA previously issued amber cold health alerts in the North East and North West of England. And now yellow alerts have been upgraded to amber in the East Midlands, West Midlands, South East, South West, East of England, Yorkshire and the Humber, and London. These warnings are in place until 10am on 6 January.

The agency warned it means the weather is “likely” to cause significant impacts across health and social care services, including a “rise in deaths” among those with health conditions or aged 65 or over.

Dr Agostinho Sousa, Head of Extreme Events and Health Protection at UKHSA, said: “As the colder weather sets in it is vital to check in on friends, family and neighbours that are most vulnerable.

“The forecast temperatures can have a serious impact on the health of some people, leading to increased risk of heart attacks, strokes and chest infections, particularly for individuals over the age of 65 and those with pre-existing health conditions.”

Snowy scenes at Dalwhinnie Distillery which sits at around 1,300ft above sea level in the Cairngorms National Park in the heart of the Highlands. (Dalwhinnie Distillery/PA Wire)

On Friday, a yellow warning for snow and ice was issued across large parts of England and Wales between midnight and noon, including Chester and Greater Manchester down to London and Kent. Up to 5cm of snow could blanket some areas, especially on higher ground in parts of North Wales and northwest England.

Separate yellow warnings are in place for Northern Ireland between midnight and 10am on Friday.

Then, on Saturday, there is another snow and ice warning for northern Scotland, which lasts from midnight Friday until midnight Sunday.

Weather warnings remain in place into the weekend on 3 January (Met Office)

Meanwhile, a snow and ice warning covering parts of northeast England comes into force from midnight Friday until midnight Saturday.

People have been urged to prepare for longer journey times by road, and on bus and train services. The forecaster has also warned of injuries due to slips and falls on icy surfaces, which will develop quickly as sleet and snow clears.

A Met Office spokeswoman said: “This warning highlights the risk of disruptive snow showers and icy surfaces, particularly in northern and eastern areas, with impacts on travel and potential hazards for the public.

“We expect this cold spell to persist into the weekend and on into next week, with further warnings possible as temperatures remain well below average and snow showers continue in places.”

Scotland faces snow and ice on 4 January (Met Office)

Dr Paul Coleman, consultant in health protection at the UKHSA, said: “The weather is forecast to be very cold across England over the coming few days.

“Low temperatures like these can have serious impacts on the health of some people, particularly older people and those with serious health conditions. Exposure to cold can lead to increased risk of heart attacks, strokes and chest infections.

“It is therefore really important, as the colder weather sets in, to check in on friends, family and neighbours that are most vulnerable.”