Weather and travel LIVE: Snow falls in London as Met Office issues new weather warnings
London[1] commuters battled to work through snow[2] on Tuesday morning as cold weather grips the UK.
A heavy flurry of snow fell in the capital as health chiefs issued a cold weather alert for the city and much of the rest of the country. Mayor Sadiq Khan activated emergency protocols to house rough sleepers amid the plunging temperatures.
It comes as snow closed roads and schools in the north of England.
Snow in the UK 19/11/2024
Oxford Street: People walk along the Oxford Street as snow falls in London
(AP)
IMG_5228: Snow falling in the City of London
(ES)
SEI230129039: A man uses a plough to clear snow in the centre of Buxton, Derbyshire
(Peter Byrne/PA Wire)
SEI230127857: A Christmas tree lights up the overnight snow in the centre of Buxton, Derbyshire
(Peter Byrne/PA Wire)
SEI230142297: People walk through the snow in Keele
(Getty Images)
SEI230130608: Sheep graze in a snow covered field on a farm in Clayton West, West Yorkshire
(Danny Lawson/PA Wire)
SEI230135133: A man clearing snow in Durham
(Owen Humphreys/PA Wire)
SEI230148259: A deer watches people sledging in the Derbyshire village of Edensor
(Getty Images)
SEI230136870: People play in the snow on the hills of Buxton, Derbyshire
(Peter Byrne/PA Wire)
SEI230148523: A bemused looking snowman wraps up warm in the Derbyshire village of Edensor
(Getty Images)The Met Office also issued three new ‘yellow’ weather warnings[3] on top of those already in place including in London.
These affect Wales, Northern Ireland and parts of north-eastern England over the danger of ice and snow, coming into place tomorrow, with up to 10cm of snow predicted.
Closer to London, motorists faced long delays after a collision closed two lanes of the Dartford Crossing[4]. On the Tube, the Piccadilly line was suspended between Rayners Lane and Uxbridge due to “significant leaf fall”.
Follow the latest developments below...
That's all from us today
20:04 , Daniel Keane
Thank you for following our live coverage.
Charity urges people with lung conditions to be 'extra careful'
19:13 , Daniel Keane
Asthma + Lung UK, urged those with lung conditions to be "extra careful" in the cold weather.
The charity warned cold weather can trigger potentially life-threatening asthma attacks or "flare-ups" for people with other lung conditions.
Gritters to set off in Haringey this evening
17:48 , Daniel Keane
Gritters will set off tonight in Haringey following a spell of freezing weather in London.
Haringey Council said the vehicles would grit “priority routes” from 8pm to make the roads safer for drivers.
New ice warning issued after snow closes schools and disrupts travel
17:25 , Daniel Keane
A new ice warning has been issued after snowy conditions forced the closure of more than 200 schools and led to widespread travel disruption.
The Met Office has put in place a yellow warning for ice for much of southern England, the Midlands and eastern Wales from 5pm on Tuesday to 10am on Wednesday.
Several other warnings for snow and ice are in force across the UK, with the Met Office advising that vehicles could be stranded, power cuts may occur and rural areas could be cut off.
By Tuesday afternoon, more than 200 school closures had been reported, with around 140 recorded in Wales.
Met Office issues ice warning for drivers
16:50 , Daniel Keane
The Met Office has urged drivers to remain alert as ice develops on the road in freezing conditions.
Can cold weather affect your health?
16:05 , Daniel Keane
This week's chilly snowy conditions have caused school closures, train cancellations and road delays in parts of the UK - but what impact could it have on our health?
Cold weather can cause changes in our blood vessels and stress hormones, which can lead to spikes in blood pressure.
"Many patients see their blood pressure rise in the winter, as cold temperatures cause blood vessels to constrict (vasoconstriction), increasing resistance to blood flow and raising blood pressure," explains Dr Martin Thornton, GP and chief medical officer at health screening company Bluecrest Wellness.
"Exposure to cold can also trigger the release of stress hormones like adrenaline, which may further elevate blood pressure and heart rate."
Health experts recommend wrapping up warm, eating well and exercising indoors as temperatures drop.
Thousands of train passengers suffer disruption
15:13 , Josh Salisbury
Thousands of train passengers suffered disruption due to the weather on Tuesday.
By 11am on Tuesday, some 64 out of a total of 120 services planned by East Midlands Railway were cancelled or delayed by at least half an hour, according to the trains.im punctuality and reliability website.
A Stagecoach bus in Aberdeenshire also toppled onto its side with a passenger on board in icy conditions on Tuesday morning in the New Leeds area.
A spokesperson for Stagecoach North Scotland said: "We can confirm that one of our vehicles operating on service X67 has been involved in an incident at New Leeds this morning due to ice on the road.
"One passenger was on board, and there were no injuries."
Emergency cold weather measures activated in London
13:58 , Josh Salisbury
Emergency cold weather measures have been activated in London amid plunging temperatures and snow.
In a statement, Mayor of London Sadiq Khan said: “The sudden drop in temperature means myself and London councils are activating our Severe Weather Emergency Protocol, opening up emergency accommodation across London.
“If you’re worried about someone sleeping rough, alert Street Link who can help connect them with local services.”
The sudden drop in temperature means myself & London councils are activating our Severe Weather Emergency Protocol, opening up emergency accommodation across London. If you’re worried about someone sleeping rough, alert @StreetLink_ who can help connect them with local services. pic.twitter.com/d6a91MvlRM[6][7]
— Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan (@MayorofLondon) November 19, 2024[8]
Brighter skies developing - but still cold, says Met Office
12:36 , Josh Salisbury
Brighter skies are beginning to develop, the Met Office said, but the weather remains cold for much of the UK, amid showers and snow.
Posting on X/Twitter, the Met Office said in a video: "Snow is the word on everybody's lips today, with parts of the UK seeing snow fall overnight or this morning.
"There are brighter skies developing across the north, although it's feeling rather chilly with wintry showers continuing to affect the far north and coastal parts."
Snow is the word on everybody's lips today, with parts of the UK seeing snow fall overnight or this morning ❄️
There are brighter skies developing across the north, although it's feeling rather chilly with wintry showers continuing to affect the far north and coastal parts 🥶 pic.twitter.com/phPWhAsNBv[9]
— Met Office (@metoffice) November 19, 2024[10]
Urgent search for missing teen amid freezing cold temperatures
12:01
The hunt for a missing teen who disappeared amid bitterly cold temperatures on a Scottish island has intensified amid further warnings of ice and snow.
Aleksandr Benga, 16, has not been seen since he went missing around 8.45am on Monday near the water wheel in the grounds of Lews Castle in Stornoway on the Isle of Lewis.
Police say they are increasingly worried for the teen as bitterly cold temperatures saw the mercury drop as low as -9C overnight.
The region was handed a 42-hour weather warning for snow and ice until Wednesday amid a desperate search for the missing 16-year-old.
Missing: Aleksandr Benga, 16 (Police Scotland)
Met Office issues three new weather warnings
11:05 , Josh Salisbury
The Met Office has issued three new weather warnings for Wales, Northern Ireland and parts of eastern and northeastern England over snow and ice.
The yellow weather warnings come on top of the multiple warnings for today covering much of the country, including London.
One warning covers northern and central Wales, and comes into effect from midnight tonight until noon tomorrow.
In Northern Ireland, a yellow warning for snow and ice is in place from 6pm today until 10am tomorrow morning.
An identical warning is in place for parts of eastern and northeastern England for the same timeframe.
Forecasters have warned there could be ice patches later, causing difficult driving conditions, with up to 10cm of snow expected in areas of higher ground.
Dartford Crossing reopens
10:54 , Josh Salisbury
Two lanes on the Dartford Crossing have reopened after a crash involving a lorry there this morning.
It was not immediately clear if the crash was caused by the snowy weather, but the crossing was among the areas across the country seeing snowfall.
Heavy congestion of up to four miles is still reported in the area, with delays of up to 30 minutes.
All lanes are now open on the @DartCharge[11] #QE2Bridge[12] following the earlier collision involving a lorry.
Delays of up to 30 minutes and approx. 4 miles of congestion remain on approach.
Please allow extra time if travelling in the area today. pic.twitter.com/zXQYYIpejq[13]
— National Highways: South-East (@HighwaysSEAST) November 19, 2024[14]
Almost 200 schools closed due to snow
10:35 , Josh Salisbury
Almost 200 schools across the country have been closed due to the snowy conditions.
Some 130 schools have been closed in Wales, and 50 in the West Midlands, with another 19 in Derbyshire, the BBC reported.
As of yet, there are no reports of any school closures in the capital, there have been a small number reported in the south east - such as Grendon Underwood Combined School in Buckinghamshire.
Charities warn of impact on vulnerable people due to cold weather
09:50 , Josh Salisbury
Charities have warned about the impact that the cold weather may have on elderly and vulnerable people.
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.
"The cold raises blood pressure, which in turn increases the risk of a heart attack or stroke and breathing in cold air can also increase the risk, and impact, of serious illnesses like flu and pneumonia."
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.
Another charity Asthma + Lung UK urged those living with lung conditions to be "extra careful".
The charity warned that cold weather can trigger potentially life-threatening asthma attacks or "flare-ups" for people with other lung conditions.
Rail routes hit by snow
09:19 , Josh Salisbury
National Rail has warned the cold climate would affect various routes on northern train services until at least 2pm on Tuesday.
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
Mersey Rail has 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.
London Fire Brigade issue snow warning
09:02 , Josh Salisbury
The London Fire Brigade has urged caution on the capital’s roads due to the snow.
In a warning, firefighters said: “Snow has been falling in parts of London this morning.
“If you're on the roads, keep your distance - give yourself time to think, react and slow down or stop if necessary.
“Remember, stopping distances can be doubled on wet roads & be up to 10x times further in icy conditions.”
Schools close across Wales and northern England
08:50 , Josh Salisbury
More than a hundred schools across Wales and northern England have closed today due to heavy snowfall.
In Wales, at least 103 schools closed in the Powys, Wrexham and Flintshire areas.
Other schools have closed in some areas of Licolnshire, Staffordshire, Herefordshire and North Yorkshire.
A person walks through snow in Warwick (PA Wire)
London under 'first taste of winter' weather warning
08:41 , Josh Salisbury
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has issued the first cold weather health alert of the season, warning conditions could be dangerous for vulnerable people, including the elderly.
A yellow warning covers the South East, South West and London at 8am on Tuesday, lasting until 6pm on Saturday, with temperatures set to be below freezing on evenings this week.
In the east and north of England, the Midlands, and Yorkshire and the Humber, an amber warning is in place.
The Met Office has separately put three yellow warnings for snow and ice in place in the North, the Midlands, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland - advising that vehicles could be stranded, power cuts may occur and rural areas could be cut off.
Geese walk across snow-covered ground at a park in Buxton, Derbyshire (PA Wire)
Warning of disruption to major roads amid snow
08:35 , Josh Salisbury
National Highways has 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.
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.
Closer to London, motorists are facing long delays after a collision closed two lanes of the Dartford Crossing, although it was not clear if that was related to the current wintry weather conditions.
(Traffic Wales)
Capital pictured in the snow
08:26 , Josh Salisbury
As snow comes down on large parts of the capital, Londoners have shared footage of the capital’s landmark in the snow.
One resident sharing footage of a snowy Regents Street this morning said: “London always looks pretty when the snow is falling.”
London hit with snow
08:20 , Josh Salisbury
London has been hit with snow with major roads and schools in the north of the country already closed due to the wintry weather.
Commuters shared pictures and videos of the snowy scenes on social media, with one at Farringdon Station writing: “It was only raining two stops away.”
Another added: “Winter has arrived and it is snowing in November!”
References
- ^ London (www.standard.co.uk)
- ^ snow (www.standard.co.uk)
- ^ weather warnings (www.standard.co.uk)
- ^ Dartford Crossing (www.standard.co.uk)
- ^ here (www.standard.co.uk)
- ^ @StreetLink_ (twitter.com)
- ^ pic.twitter.com/d6a91MvlRM (t.co)
- ^ November 19, 2024 (twitter.com)
- ^ pic.twitter.com/phPWhAsNBv (t.co)
- ^ November 19, 2024 (twitter.com)
- ^ @DartCharge (twitter.com)
- ^ #QE2Bridge (twitter.com)
- ^ pic.twitter.com/zXQYYIpejq (t.co)
- ^ November 19, 2024 (twitter.com)