The Met Office has given an update on when cold weather, snow and ice will end as number of severe weather warnings for snow and ice are in place across the UK.
Met Office Chief Meteorologist, Paul Gundersen, said; “Cold air is continuing to push across the UK from the north and many areas have seen some snow, wintry conditions, and overnight frosts. National Severe Weather Warnings have been issued across parts of western England, Wales, Northern Ireland, and Scotland with more warnings likely to be issued over the coming days.”
A Level 3 Cold Weather Alert, issued by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), is in force for all of England until 9am on Friday, January 20.
But the weather experts say the cold spell will come to an end later this week and through the weekend across western areas, where it will turn milder and windier with some rain at times. However, the cold air is likely to hang on for longer across eastern and south-eastern parts of the UK with sharp overnight frosts.
Forecasters have warned temperatures could stay below average into next week in parts of the UK as the cold spell continues.
Met Office meteorologist Tom Morgan said: “This is a cold spell lasting around five to seven days so I think by the weekend if you’re living in Scotland or Northern Ireland, you will feel it getting a bit milder – but it will remain cold in England and Wales.
“It may well take until the early part of next week for temperatures to return to normal across England and Wales.”
The Met Office said 32cm of snow fell at Loch Glascarnoch in the Scottish Highlands on Tuesday morning.
A snowy scene at Lower Ninnis St Day, Redruth, Cornwall, looking west towards St Aubyn (Viv Robinson/PA)
Motorists have been urged to take care on the roads due to difficult driving conditions, with “blustery” and “often wintry” showers expected across northern and western coasts.
A major incident was declared in Somerset after a double-decker bus overturned in a crash involving a motorcycle at around 6am.
The A39 Quantock Road in Bridgwater, was closed with police, fire and ambulance units remaining on the scene into the afternoon.
The scene on the A39 Quantock Road in Bridgwater after a double-decker bus overturned in a crash involving a motorcycle (Andrew Matthews/PA)
The RAC said there had been a “huge spike” in breakdowns due to icy conditions.
A spokesperson said: “Even though the weather is largely dry in most places, today is proving far busier than yesterday, which is unusual as Monday is generally the biggest day for breakdowns.
“Flat batteries are the top reason for drivers calling us out as cars with older ones finally give up the ghost in the cold.
“Ice, and in some areas snow, are the biggest risks for drivers this week – particularly on stretches of road that haven’t been treated.
“It’s vital everyone slows down and gives themselves time to plenty of time to brake and react in the event something unexpected happens.”
The Met Office said it expects milder air to start moving in from Friday afternoon in Northern Ireland and Scotland.
Spokesman Oli Claydon said: “That will slowly spread across the rest of the UK. South-east England will hold onto colder temperatures for longer.”
The Met Office recorded the coldest night of last year on the night of December 12-13 when temperatures plunged to minus 15.7C in Braemer, Aberdeenshire, during a cold snap.
