Met Office Issues Severe Weather Warnings as Snow Hits UK in ‘First Taste of Winter’

A motorist drives down a snow-covered street after overnight snowfall in Warwick on Nov. 19, 2024. Jacob King/PA

Yellow weather warnings for snow and ice have been issued across the UK in what the Met Office has called the “first taste of winter.”

Snowy, wintry weather hit parts of England and Scotland and the whole of Northern Ireland on Monday, with yellow weather warnings currently in place until Wednesday.

The Met Office said that Northern Scotland will see 2 to 5cm of snow by the end of Tuesday and reported impact on England’s regions of Derbyshire, Greater Manchester and Lancashire.

Northern England, North Wales and northern parts of the Midlands saw rain, sleet and snow cleared on Tuesday morning, with warnings of icy stretches on untreated surfaces.

In these regions, meteorologists expect snow to accumulate on hills, with some snow to settle to lower levels.

The Met Office warned that snowy weather will affect local road conditions, causing delays and making it dangerous to drive.

Chief Meteorologist at the Met Office, Dan Suri, said disruptions on Tuesday morning are likely to coincide with rush hour, affecting the central swathe of the UK and causing travel delays.

National Highways issued an amber severe weather alert for snow in the north east and north west regions of the country until early hours of Tuesday morning. It announced disruptions due to snow on the M1 in Leeds and Sheffield, the M56 in Manchester, junction 39 of the M6 and junctions 21-23 of the M62.

National Highways severe weather resilience manager, Darren Clark said: “Gritters will be out treating our roads around the clock when ice or snow is forecast, but it is still important to drive to the conditions.”

“Keep your distance and reduce your speed, because even in conditions that seem normal, and where the snow is not settling, it can be slippery if ice patches have formed, or where fresh grit has not been worked into the carriageway.”

Road users have been advised to check road closures and pack essentials, including food and warm clothing.

“Drivers should plan their journeys, monitor weather reports and pack a snow kit of blankets, food, water and a shovel,” Clark said.

The National Rail said on Tuesday that poor weather affected its routes across England, Wales and Scotland.

Poor weather conditions also led to school closures in England and Wales.

Winter Fuel Payments

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) issued an amber cold health alert for most of England on Monday.

The cold snap can lead to an increase in demand for health services, affecting vulnerable groups of those aged 65 and over or with health conditions, the agency warned. It added that keeping temperatures inside hospitals and care homes above the recommended levels can also be a challenge.

Vulnerable groups may struggle to keep indoor temperatures high enough, the UKHSA said.

The warning comes as many older people this winter are no longer entitled to Winter Fuel Payments. Changes to the benefit payments were announced by Chancellor Rachel Reeves in July, affecting millions of pensioners across the UK.

The Department for Work and Pensions has estimated that 1.5 million people in England and Wales will receive a payment this winter, down from 10.8 million last year.

The loss of Winter Fuel Payment has caused many pensioners to be “extra fearful” about turning on their heating this winter, Age UK said.

The director of the charity, Caroline Abrahams said: “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.”

“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.”

PA Media contributed to this report.