Amber alerts for snow and ice have been issued across significant portions of England and Wales this weekend, with warnings of "hazardous" travel conditions.
The updated warnings, which now include northern England, the Midlands, and much of Wales, are in effect from 6:00 PM GMT on Saturday to midnight Sunday. These come as temperatures dropped to -8.1°C early Friday, marking the coldest night of the winter in southern England.
Forecasts predict snow and freezing rain, potentially leading to power outages, travel disruptions, and isolation for rural communities. The warnings include:
• Yellow warning for ice: Nearly all of Scotland, parts of northern England, the East Midlands, North Wales, and northern Northern Ireland from Friday afternoon to Saturday morning.
• Amber warning for snow and ice: Central England and most of Wales from Saturday evening to Sunday noon.
• Amber warning for snow: Northern England from late Saturday night to Sunday midnight.
• Yellow warning for snow: Most of Scotland from Sunday midnight to Monday noon.
This extreme cold snap arrives alongside a sharp rise in flu hospitalizations across England, with over 5,000 patients last week, a significant increase from the previous year. Professor Julian Redhead, NHS national clinical director for urgent care, highlighted the dangers of freezing temperatures for vulnerable individuals.
Health Secretary Wes Streeting urged households to prioritize warmth, following criticism of reduced winter fuel payments for pensioners. The Department for Work and Pensions has activated cold weather payments in certain areas where freezing conditions persist.
Weather Details and Impacts
• Friday night temperatures fell to -8.1°C in Benson, Oxfordshire, with similarly frigid conditions recorded across the UK.
• Saturday is expected to be largely dry but cold, with freezing fog patches in parts of the Midlands and East Anglia.
• Snowfall of 3-7cm is likely in amber warning areas, with 15-40cm over higher ground in northern England and Wales. Freezing rain poses an additional risk by creating dangerously icy surfaces.
• A rapid thaw is anticipated in some regions as milder air arrives on Sunday, with temperatures rising to 13°C in London compared to 2°C in Aberdeen.
The UK Health Security Agency has issued amber cold weather health alerts for all of England, urging healthcare providers to monitor vulnerable populations and encouraging individuals to stay warm.
Age UK has called on energy companies and councils to support those struggling with heating costs, noting widespread concern among the elderly. The government has defended its decision to limit winter fuel payments while emphasizing protections for the poorest pensioners.