UK weather: Weather maps show exactly where snow is expected as Britain wakes up to sub-zero temperatures with ‘cold plunge of Arctic air’ gripping the country
- Up to 8in (20cm) of snow could fall in Scotland, northern England and Wales
- Temperatures drop to -8.6F (16.5F) in Highlands and -8C (17.6F) in Oxfordshire
By Mark Duell[1] and Matthew Lodge[2] and Richard Marsden[3] and John Paul Breslin[4]
Published: 06:33, 16 January 2024 | Updated: 10:44, 16 January 2024
A ‘cold plunge of Arctic air’ froze Britain today as temperatures dropped to -9C (16F), six inches of snow fell and drivers were warned they could end up stranded.
The Met Office[5] expects 4in (10cm) of snow in northern England and Wales, while up to 8in (20cm) could fall in the Scottish Highlands. Cumbria, Northumberland and the Pennines could be worst hit today – after Aberdeenshire saw 6in (15cm) yesterday.
The coldest temperature this morning was -8.6F (16.5F) on Aonach Mor in Scotland, while areas of Oxfordshire, Dorset and Hampshire all fell to -8C (17.6F). Northolt in West London[6] was -6.2C (20.8F) while Gatwick[7] and Exeter airports were -6C (21F).
Liverpool was among the cities worst hit by snow today, with 36 schools closing.
As the mercury struggled to rise above 0C (32F) across much of the UK, the Met Office imposed three days of warnings for snow and ice lasting until the end of Thursday.
National Highways issued a weather warning to motorists in the North West, while a UK Health Security Agency cold health alert remains active for England until Friday.
And London Mayor Sadiq Khan[8] has activated the Severe Weather Emergency Protocol for councils to open extra emergency accommodation for rough sleepers.
Meteorologists said there could be ‘possible travel delays on roads stranding some vehicles and passengers’ and ‘rural communities could become cut off’.
It comes as:
- The Met Office said temperatures could plummet further to -15C (5F) tonight;
- More than 100 flood alerts or warnings remained in place for England today;
- Forecasters said strong winds could result in ‘drifting or blizzard conditions’;
- At least 100 schools were shut in Scotland today due to the severe conditions;
- Thousands of households in the UK are eligible for cold weather payments[9]; and
- National Rail warned the wintry weather could affect train journeys all week.
This winter’s record low of -12.5C (9.5F) set at Altnaharra in Scotland on December 3 is now under threat – and milder air is not set to arrive until at least the weekend.
A woman and child on a sledge in the snow at Camp Hill in Woolton, Liverpool, this morning
Commuters make their way to work in icy conditions today after snow hit Keswick in Cumbria
Snow-covered rooftops at Northwich in Cheshire this morning as temperatures plunge
A Met Office map shows the exact locations where snow is falling in the UK this morning
Merseyside Police said a lorry was stuck at junction four of the M57 in the snow this morning
People take advantage of the snow with sledges at Camp Hill in Woolton, Liverpool, today
Fresh snow covers the roads and footpaths during snowfall at Lee Park in Liverpool today
Frost-covered houses this morning in the North Yorkshire village of Droughton which was -3C
Snowploughs work to keep Manchester Airport open this morning amid the severe weather
Pedestrians cross a street as snow covers Oxton in Birkenhead on the Wirral this morning
Snow covered rooftops near Carlisle in Cumbria this morning amid very cold temperatures
A runner makes their way through a frosty Richmond Park in South West London this morning
Today, much of Britain is facing another day of cold temperatures and travel disruption after overnight lows dropped below freezing for the bulk of the country.
Met Office weather warnings this week
TODAY
- 1) Snow and ice – Northern Ireland – Now until 11am today
- 2) Snow and ice – Scotland, North West England and North Wales – Now until 11.59pm today
TOMORROW
- 3) Snow – Scotland, North West England, Wales and Northern Ireland – 0.01am Wednesday until 11.59pm Wednesday
THURSDAY
- 4) Snow – Scotland, North West England, Wales and Northern Ireland – 0.01am Thursday until 11.59pm Thursday
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The Met Office said heavy snow is possible across northern areas today, especially in Scotland and overnight in Northern Ireland, with the rest of the country seeing a cold, dry day ahead of a widespread, severe frost in the evening.
A yellow warning is in place for snow and ice across Scotland, much of northern England and parts of north Wales until midnight on Tuesday, as well as for Northern Ireland until 11am.
The warnings continue across large swathes of the northern half of the country until Thursday.
Northern and eastern parts of Scotland saw the ‘bulk of the snow’ yesterday, with 6in (15cm) on the ground at Aberdeen Airport by the evening.
A ‘cold plunge of Arctic air’ has moved south across the whole country over the past few days, making it 5C to 6C lower than usual for this time of year, the Met Office said.
Met Office forecaster Craig Snell said today could see a ‘persistent band of snow’ over three to six hours across Scotland, Northern Ireland and parts of northern England and Wales.
He said: ‘In the early hours of the morning we’re looking at temperatures getting down to -12C in a few spots, Tuesday night possibly down to -15C.
‘So certainly a very cold spell into Wednesday.’
It comes as the Government confirmed thousands of households in England and Wales are eligible for cold weather payments.
An aerial view shows snow-covered houses in Birkenhead, Merseyside, this morning
People take advantage of the snow with sledges at Camp Hill in Woolton, Liverpool, today
A cold but bright start to the day today as commuters cross London Bridge this morning
A bus is driven through heavy snow in Manchester city centre this morning amid the big freeze
Snow-covered rooftops at Northwich in Cheshire this morning as temperatures plunge
Snow falls on the Beatles Statue at Pier Head in Liverpool early this morning
A man walks along a snowy path at Northwich in Cheshire today as temperatures plunge
Commuters brave the icy conditions in a frosty Richmond Park in London this morning
People take advantage of the snow with sledges at Camp Hill in Woolton, Liverpool, today
Commuters walk through heavy snow in Manchester city centre early this morning
Snow-covered rooftops at Northwich in Cheshire this morning as temperatures plunge
Icicles form on the fountains at Trafalgar Square in London today as temperatures remain low
Manchester city centre is covered in snow this morning as temperatures plunged in Britain
Commuters make their way to work in icy conditions today after snow hit Keswick in Cumbria
Tree tops covered in snow seen from Camp Hill in Woolton, Liverpool, this morning
Snow-covered rooftops around Blackpool Tower on the Lancashire coast this morning
Snow falls at Hunts Cross station in Liverpool this morning amid sub-zero temperatures
Snow-covered rooftops at Northwich in Cheshire this morning as temperatures plunge
Swimmers at the frozen men’s pond at Hampstead Heath in North West London this morning
The payments are made to vulnerable people, including pensioners, to help them pay for heating when the temperature dips below freezing.
It goes to those living in an area where the average temperature is recorded as, or forecast to be, 0C or below over seven consecutive days.
Payments will be made to homes across Cumbria, Oxfordshire, Yorkshire, Northumberland, Norfolk, Staffordshire and Powys in Wales.
The UK Health Security Agency has issued a cold health alert, which warns of possible impacts for the health and social care sector.
National Highways has put in place a severe weather alert for snow affecting the North West today, with road users advised to plan ahead and some rural communities warned they could be temporarily cut off.
Amy Fellows, national network manager at National Highways, said: ‘Freezing conditions bring so many hazards such as snow and ice, so take every possible step to understand your journey in advance and allow lots of extra time when travelling to prepare for the unexpected.’
The Met Office weather warning also advises a series of precautions for drivers.
It said motorists should ‘leave more time to prepare and check your car before setting off’ and ‘pack essentials’ such as warm clothing, food, drink, a blanket and torch, a fully-charged phone and a back-up charger.
A delivery cyclist makes their way through the snow in Liverpool city centre this morning
People take advantage of the snow with sledges at Camp Hill in Woolton, Liverpool, today
Snow surrounds Manchester United Football Club’s stadium Old Trafford this morning
Snow-covered rooftops at Northwich in Cheshire this morning as temperatures plunge
A cold but bright start to the day today as commuters cross London Bridge this morning
A dog sits in the snow at Camp Hill in Woolton, Liverpool, this morning
The fountains in London’s Trafalgar Square have partially frozen over today in the big freeze
Snow falls at Hunts Cross station in Liverpool this morning amid sub-zero temperatures
Swimmers at the frozen men’s pond at Hampstead Heath in North West London this morning
A young girl and her sledge in the snow at Camp Hill in Woolton, Liverpool, this morning
A car is driven through the snow in Liverpool city centre today amid sub-zero temperatures
Sunrise behind Tower Bridge and HMS Belfast on a very cold day in London this morning
Snow falls at Hunts Cross station in Liverpool this morning amid sub-zero temperatures
Snow surrounds Manchester United Football Club’s stadium Old Trafford this morning
Snow falls at Hunts Cross station in Liverpool this morning amid sub-zero temperatures
A cold but bright start to the day today as commuters cross London Bridge this morning
Stein Connelly, head of transport resilience at Transport Scotland, said the cold snap had caused difficult driving conditions with further ‘severe impacts’ anticipated today.
National Rail has warned the wintry weather could affect train journeys all week with ScotRail saying services on the Highland Mainline route today would be delayed by around 30 minutes.
There are also fears of disruption on South Western Railway services this week.
In Scotland, more than 100 schools were closed today amid the wintry weather.
There were 22 school closures in Aberdeenshire while almost all other schools were either opening late, facing transport issues or were partially closed.
In the Highlands, 75 schools were closed while others were partially closed or had delayed openings.
Some 26 in Shetland were closed.
Yesterday around 200 schools in the north of Scotland were closed in similar areas.
However, amid the disruption, some people got out and about to enjoy the wintry scenes.
Skiers in the Cairngorms were treated to a covering of snow -even at lower levels – by yesterday morning.
Elsewhere, Bethany Austin and her four-year-old son Ambrose enjoyed a spot of sledging in Huntly, Aberdeenshire.
Meanwhile, icicles transformed the Ross Fountain in Edinburgh’s Princes Street Gardens into an impromptu ice sculpture.
People take advantage of the snow with sledges at Camp Hill in Woolton, Liverpool, today
Fresh snow covers roads and footpaths this morning in the Lee Park area of Liverpool
Snow falls in the Speke suburb of Liverpool early this morning as people head to work
Snow on cars in Manchester this morning as the UK is hit by severe weather conditions
Snow falls at Hunts Cross station in Liverpool this morning amid sub-zero temperatures
A cold but bright start to the day today as commuters cross London Bridge this morning
Snow falls in the Speke suburb of Liverpool early this morning as people head to work
Icicles form on the fountains at Trafalgar Square in London today as temperatures remain low
Snow falls at Hunts Cross station in Liverpool this morning amid sub-zero conditions
Frost covers cars during sub-zero temperatures at Greenwich in South East London today
Fresh snow covers roads and footpaths this morning in the Lee Park area of Liverpool
Snow falls at Hunts Cross station in Liverpool this morning amid sub-zero temperatures
Met Office chief meteorologist Andy Page said: ‘There will be widespread frost this week and we could see some fairly deep laying snow in parts of northern UK and strong winds could result in drifting or blizzard conditions at times.
‘The snow and ice will be disruptive and could potentially impact travel plans, make driving dangerous and pavements slippery.’
Forecasters say there is the potential for ‘some snow’ in southern England mid-week as a low-pressure system moves across northern France.
Met Office deputy chief meteorologist Nick Silkstone said: ‘The track of this system still has some small but all-important uncertainties tied to its northern extent, and it has the potential to bring some snow to southern England.
‘However, our preferred solution suggests minimal snowfall (a couple of cm at most) across parts of the extreme south of England in association with this system, but we are keeping an eye on how things develop and will update the forecast as needed.’
Iin March 2018 the village of Nenthead, Cumbria, was surrounded by enormous drifts and the Royal Air Force delivered supplies by Chinook helicopter.
And in November 2021, customers were snowed in for three days at Britain’s highest pub, the Tan Hill Tavern, near Richmond, North Yorkshire, which is 1,732ft (528m) above sea level.
References
- ^ Mark Duell (www.dailymail.co.uk)
- ^ Matthew Lodge (www.dailymail.co.uk)
- ^ Richard Marsden (www.dailymail.co.uk)
- ^ John Paul Breslin (www.dailymail.co.uk)
- ^ Met Office (www.dailymail.co.uk)
- ^ London (www.dailymail.co.uk)
- ^ Gatwick (www.dailymail.co.uk)
- ^ Sadiq Khan (www.dailymail.co.uk)
- ^ households in the UK are eligible for cold weather payments (www.dailymail.co.uk)