Snow and ice warnings as cold weather cripples UK with a vengeance

There's no let up from the sub-zero Arctic blast.

The UK is set to be crippled by a sub-zero Arctic blast in the coming days with a cold snap set to further tighten its grip.

Last week’s relatively mild temperatures were well and truly frozen out (literally) and replaced by the ‘freeze of the century’.

Met Office forecasters have already warned of a ‘resurgence in really cold weather through the weekend’.

Hampshire and Suffolk saw lows of -5°C and -4°C respectively on Friday, while it will drop to -1°C by Sunday in London.

And things could be about to get even chillier as we move into next week with every day forecast for below zero temperatures across most of Britain. 

Public health officials issued an amber cold weather alert which lifted on Friday, warning there might be an ‘observed increase in mortality across the population’.

Yellow snow and ice warnings have also been issued by the national weather agency for most of the north of Scotland from midnight on Sunday until 11.59pm.

The warning spans Stonehaven and Aberdeen in the east to Skye and the Western Isles.

All parts of Scotland north of these areas are likely to be affected, with temperatures as low as -4°C expected.

The Met Office warned travel disruption is possible with some roads and railways affected, and longer journey times by road, bus and train are likely.

It also warned of icy patches on roads, pavements and cycle paths, and said there is a small chance that power cuts will occur.

Mobile phone services may also be affected, and snow-covered roads may lead to stranded vehicles.

The Met Office has also issued a yellow weather warning of snow and ice for Northern Ireland early next week.

The warning comes into force on Monday at 3am and runs until 11.59pm the same day.

Looking ahead to next week, the Met Office says: Patchy rain moving south into Sunday with much colder and brighter conditions following. 

‘Showers turning to snow to low levels in the north Monday. More significant snow possible on Tuesday.’

If you’re worried about the cold weather, an iPhone feature can now warn you when it’s about to snow.

Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk.

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