UK weather – live: Flooding chaos forces schools to close as Met Office warns of big freeze
UK weather: The latest Met Office forecast
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Somerset has closed dozens of schools after classrooms were rendered inaccessible and nearby roads were flooded. The county has seen landslides and stranded cars as roads become perilous in rising waters on Monday afternoon.
It came as two men died after parts of the UK were gripped by freezing [1]temperatures [2]over the weekend[3]. Police were called to Bloom Street in Manchester city centre’s gay village on Sunday morning over concerns about the welfare of a man found in a shop doorway. Officers and paramedics attended but he was declared dead at the scene, Greater Manchester Police said in a statement.
In Nottingham, a homeless man is believed to have frozen to death inside a car as he sheltered from subzero temperatures[4]. The man, who has not been identified[5], was reportedly found dead inside a black Renault in Beeston, Nottinghamshire[6], on Friday 1 December. It comes as large parts of the country are battling an “ice rink Monday” following heavy snowfall [7]on Sunday.
RAC Breakdown spokesperson Simon Williams said northern parts of the country[8] could be facing an “ice[9] rink Monday as snow[10] refreezes overnight”. He added: “We’re expecting some very treacherous icy conditions in northern parts, so those who have to drive should exercise great caution”.
Show latest update 1701722317
Map shows amount of rainfall measured across Somerset in last 24 hours
The Environment Agency has issued 28 flood warnings, mainly in Dorset and Somerset, as heavy rain is causing river levels to rise. Barney Davis4 December 2023 20:38
Somerset council shut off road after ‘landslip’ amid floods
Somerset Council has shut Tyler’s Lane in Fitzhead due to a landslip with a spokesman asking drivers to avoid this route.
Travel disruption is expected as a Met Office yellow weather warning for rain is in place across parts of southern England, south-east Wales and into the Midlands which will last until 6pm on Monday. The Environment Agency has issued 28 flood warnings, mainly in Dorset and Somerset, as heavy rain is causing river levels to rise. National Highways said the A303 in Somerset was closed eastbound between the A37/A372 at Podimore and the A359 near Sparkford because of flooding, with no time estimated for when it would reopen.
Tyler’s Lane in Fitzhead
(Somerset Council) Barney Davis4 December 2023 19:37
Police launch appeal after horror crash kills driver in Somerset amid heavy rain
Dorset Police are looking for witnesses following a collision between a car and a lorry on the M4 eastbound between junctions 22 (M49) and 21 (M48) at approximately 4.30am this morning. The driver of the car, a blue Tesla, tragically died at the scene.
His next of kin have been informed and are being supported by a specially trained officer. Our thoughts are with them at this sad time. No one else involved in the collision suffered any injuries.
The M4 was closed in both directions between junctions 22 and 21 to allow investigations to take place and the vehicles to be recovered. Barney Davis4 December 2023 19:15
Over 20 flood warnings are in force across south-west England
Travel disruption is expected as a Met Office yellow weather warning for rain is in place across parts of southern England, south-east Wales and into the Midlands which will last until 6pm on Monday. The Environment Agency has issued 28 flood warnings, mainly in Dorset and Somerset, as heavy rain is causing river levels to rise.
National Highways said the A303 in Somerset was closed eastbound between the A37/A372 at Podimore and the A359 near Sparkford because of flooding, with no time estimated for when it would reopen.
Dozens of flood warnings were issued across the UK (PA) Barney Davis4 December 2023 18:45
Crowdfunder launched for young man who died in horror accident in bad weather
Sonny Farrier tragically lost his life on Saturday 2 December in a car accident due to the bad weather on his way home from work.
A friend said: “He was the most kind person, with the purest of hearts and who always had a smile on his face. He had time for everyone he met and was so genuine. “He helped me at a young age in primary school and took me under his wing, meaning I’ve always looked up to him and respected him.”
Barney Davis4 December 2023 17:31
A raft of new schools are set to be closed in Somerset after flooding
Schools have been closed across Somerset during mass road closures due to the flooding. There are flood warnings for the River Brue, Glastonbury Millstream and the River Parrett. Flood alerts include the Mid Bristol Avon area, the River Chew, the River Biss and West Somerset Streams and rivers in south-east Somerset.
Here is the full list of schools closed early today or tomorrow: Ash CofE Primary School Baltonsborough CE VC Primary School
Butleigh CofE Primary School Charlton Mackrell CofE Primary School Churchstanton Primary School
Curry Mallet CofE Primary School Curry Rivel CofE VC Primary School Fiveaways Special School
Hambridge Community Primary School Herne View CofE Primary School High Ham CofE Primary School
Hinton St George CofE Primary School Keinton Mandeville Primary School Kingston St Mary CofE Primary School
Long Sutton CofE Primary School Martock CofE Primary School Meare Village Primary School
North Newton Community Primary School Shepton Beauchamp Church School South Somerset Partnership School
St Mary and St Peters Church School Stoberry Park School Tatworth Primary School
West Pennard CofE Primary School Barney Davis4 December 2023 17:28
Drivers warned not to enter floodwater amid road closures in Somerset
Barney Davis4 December 2023 17:02
When is the right time to put the heating on?
Knowing when your heating should go on is tricky. You feel freezing, but you know it’s only going to get colder.
Do you want to spend that money now? “There’s no exact time of year when you should turn your heating on,” explains Joanna O’Loan, knowledge manager at the Energy Saving Trust. Maryam Zakir-Hussain4 December 2023 15:44
Cold snap to ease but brings more wet and windy weather
After a brutally cold weekend, the Met Office has said an ease to freezing temperatures is on the cards this week.
But sadly, with the warmer temperatures, we can expect wet and windy weather. Maryam Zakir-Hussain4 December 2023 15:24
What are the weather warnings in place today?
Yellow – Rain Until 6pm today
Covers: London & South East England, South West England, West Midlands Yellow – Rain Until 9am tomorrow
North East England, Yorkshire & Humber Yellow – Ice Until 11am tomorrow
Grampian, Highlands & Eilean Siar, Orkney & Shetland
(Met Office )
Maryam Zakir-Hussain4 December 2023 15:09
References
- ^ freezing (www.independent.co.uk)
- ^ temperatures (www.independent.co.uk)
- ^ Police declare major incident and urge against travel to Cumbria after snowfall (www.independent.co.uk)
- ^ Police declare major incident and urge against travel to Cumbria after snowfall (www.independent.co.uk)
- ^ who has not been identified (www.independent.co.uk)
- ^ Nottinghamshire (www.independent.co.uk)
- ^ Fresh snow warnings as thousands left without power in -12C cold snap (www.independent.co.uk)
- ^ northern parts of the country (www.independent.co.uk)
- ^ ice (www.independent.co.uk)
- ^ snow (www.independent.co.uk)
- ^ 1701722317 (www.independent.co.uk)
- ^ 1701718646 (www.independent.co.uk)
- ^ 1701717316 (www.independent.co.uk)
- ^ 1701715516 (www.independent.co.uk)
- ^ 1701711096 (www.independent.co.uk)
- ^ 1701710916 (www.independent.co.uk)
- ^ 1701709367 (www.independent.co.uk)
- ^ 1701704656 (www.independent.co.uk)
- ^ 1701703462 (www.independent.co.uk)
- ^ 1701702545 (www.independent.co.uk)