The level three cold weather alert for the UK has been extended by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA).
The warning has been extended until 9am on Monday March 13. Previously the alert, covering all regions of England, was in place until midnight on Thursday March 9.
Conditions are forecast to turn colder this week, with snow and sleet already falling in some parts of the country on Wednesday (March 8). The wintry weather has been attributed to an Arctic blast, which is expected to bring more snow and ice throughout the UK, the Met Office said.
READ MORE: LIVE as snow starts falling over parts of Greater Manchester amid weather warnings
A number of national severe warnings for snow and ice were issued, with the Met Office saying further warnings, or updates to the current warnings, are “very likely”. Dozens of flights were disrupted in the south of England amid snowfall across the nation following the coldest night of the year on Tuesday (March 7).
The Met Office has said temperatures at Kinbrace in the Highlands dropped to this year’s low of minus 15.4C overnight – the lowest March temperature recorded in more than a decade. Meanwhile Bristol Airport temporarily closed for “snow clearing operations” with morning flights cancelled, and delays are also affecting passengers at other airports in the south of England.
National Highways has also urged drivers in the West Midlands and the East of England not to travel unless their journey is essential. Forecasters have predicted night-time sub-zero temperatures in all four UK nations until at least Friday, with snow sweeping the nation in the coming days.
Met Office spokesperson Nicola Maxey said the minus 15.4C temperature recorded on Tuesday night meant it was the coldest in March since 2010. Ms Maxey said an “Arctic maritime air” drifting over the UK from the north is causing the widespread snowfall and it could generate “blizzard conditions” on Thursday.
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