Drivers in parts of the UK have been issued with an amber “severe weather alert” as snow closed a number of routes on Tuesday morning.
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National Highways warned of a “significant risk to vehicles” in the North East and North West of England with up to 15cm of snow on major roads, and strongly advised against travel as wintry weather sweeps the UK.
Impacted roads included the M26 between J21-J23, the M1 at Leeds and Sheffield and the M56 at Manchester.
The A628, crossing the Pennines, was shut in both directions due to snow between the A616 Hollingworth and the A57 Flouch.
In Wales, the A55 closed for several hours eastbound at Caerwys due to a collision and heavy snow.
The Met Office issued three yellow weather alerts for snow and ice covering the Midlands, northern England, parts of Northern Ireland, north east Wales and sections of Northern Ireland.
National Rail warned the cold climate would impact various routes on the Northern Rail until at least 2pm on Tuesday.
Monday brought a very cold start for many, especially in northern Scotland. Here are the extremes 👇 pic.twitter.com/5HdCGNWiaK
— Met Office (@metoffice) November 19, 2024
Impacted areas included the Bradford Interchange and Huddersfield, and also between Halifax and Hebden Bridge and Hull.
East Midlands Railway said “severe weather” between Nottingham and Worksop means trains are currently unable to run until at least 9am.
Mersey Rail issued an alert warning passengers that due to the potential of snow and ice covering tracks, the first service on each line in north west England would run without customers to ensure conditions could be checked.
Travellers were advised to check their local rail app or social media and plan their journeys ahead.
Some schools in the north are also thought to be closing today due to the inclement weather.
National Highways have issued an amber severe weather alert for snow in the North East and North West regions of the country from today (Tuesday 19th November) until 10:00.
— National Highways: North-West (@HighwaysNWEST) November 19, 2024
Visit our Travel Alerts page for full details - https://t.co/aVxQ0AwS7I…@metoffice pic.twitter.com/3LtnEvQWze
Dan Suri, Chief Meteorologist at the Met Office, said: “An area of low pressure slides its way eastwards on Monday night. The associated frontal system, marking the boundary between cold air in the north and milder conditions to the south, will bring disruptive snow to some areas between Monday evening and Tuesday morning.
“This is likely to coincide with rush hour, leading to disruption to some transport routes across a central swathe of the UK on Tuesday morning. It will also be windy in the far south.”
⚠️ Yellow weather warning UPDATED⚠️
— Met Office (@metoffice) November 18, 2024
Snow and ice across parts of northern England, Wales and the Midlands
Valid until Tuesday 1100
Latest info 👉 https://t.co/QwDLMfS950
Stay #WeatherAware⚠️ pic.twitter.com/UhZCuAsR7N
It comes as the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) issued the first amber cold weather health alert of the season this week.
The amber warning covers the east and north of England, midlands, and Yorkshire and the Humber, with yellow alerts coming into place for the South East, South West and London at 8am on Tuesday, lasting until 6pm on Saturday.
Temperatures are predicted to drop to -2C in London on Friday, -4C in Birmingham and -7C further north - much lower than the average for this time of year.
Charity Age UK warned that the conditions could be dangerous for vulnerable people, including the elderly.
Dr Agostinho Sousa, from the UKHSA, said: “This is the first amber Cold Weather Health Alert of the season, but we can expect more as we approach winter, and it is vital to check in on vulnerable friends, family and neighbours to ensure they are well prepared for the onset of cold weather.
Snow is coming down thick and fast now in Sleaford, Lincolnshire.#uksnow pic.twitter.com/2C56bAyJ4B
— Official Weather UK 🍂 (@Official_WXUK) November 19, 2024
“Particularly if they are elderly or otherwise at increased risk.”
Age UK director Caroline Abrahams said the charity was worried that the loss of the Winter Fuel Payment has caused many older people to be “extra fearful” about turning on their heating this winter.
“With high energy bills and food prices it is understandable that some may think they have to cut back on food and turn their heating off, but prolonged exposure to cold temperatures can have a serious impact on an older person’s health, especially if they are already trying to manage existing illnesses,” she said.
Ms Abrahams said it is “vital” that older people stay “fit, warm and well if they can” by having hot food and drinks throughout the day, wrapping up warm and sleeping with the windows closed.
A yellow snow and ice warning is currently in place until 10am on Tuesday covering Northern Ireland.
Another yellow alert is in place until 10am on Wednesday, covering areas in Scotland, and a third lasts until 11am on Tuesday covering areas in the East Midlands, Yorkshire and the north of England.
Within affected areas, there is a chance of power cuts, disruption to road and public transport and the risk of injury from slipping on ice.
