Greater Manchester faces a double whammy of of snow and ice today (Sunday) as the cold snap continues to exert its icy grip. A Met Office yellow weather warning for snow and ice is in place for almost the entire UK - including Greater Manchester - from 7am to 9pm.
But some parts of the region have also been issued a more severe amber warning for ice, from 9am to 8pm, which covers much of Tameside, Stockport, Oldham and Rochdale. Forecasters say a period of freezing rain and some snow will lead to some disruption.
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Meanwhile a level three cold weather alert was earlier issued by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) for all of England until midnight on Sunday, which it warns could 'increase the health risks to vulnerable patients and disrupt the delivery of services'.
But despite the warnings temperatures look set to actually rise slightly today - up to a high of 6°C by late tonight - as milder conditions move in for the early part of the week.
Met Office deputy chief forecaster Helen Caughey said: "The northerly airflow and cold conditions which have dominated our weather patterns over the last 10 days will start to lose ground to a push of mild air from the south-west on Sunday. As the mild air meets the cold air currently in situ over the UK there will be a transient spell of snow, potentially to low levels, especially in the north.
"Add to this the risk of rain falling on to frozen surfaces, and strong winds over upland areas of northern Britain, bringing blizzard conditions, and this could be a day to avoid travelling in some areas, although the snow should turn to rain later. There is also a brief risk of a period of freezing rain most likely to impact areas from the Pennines northwards, which could result in some power interruptions."
Ms Caughey said cold temperatures were likely to return next week but it was still too early to say whether there would be a white Christmas.
Peter Jenkins, director of campaigns at Water UK, advised that the rise in temperature could cause burst pipes. He said: "The recent freezing weather has been very disruptive to many people. The last thing we want is for people to experience further disruption as temperatures rise this weekend, putting many homes at risk of burst pipes due to freeze-thaw.
"That's why we're urging everyone to check their water pipes are well insulated now."
