Five weather warnings have been issued by the Met Office with snow and ice set to strike Britain over the weekend, as temperatures plummet for the first weekend of 2025.
Two amber weather warnings have been issued, including a warning for snow and ice from 6pm on Saturday until 12pm on Sunday, covering most of the Midlands, Wales and parts of northern England.
Another amber snow warning will be issued across northern England and parts of the Midlands from 9pm on Saturday until the end of Sunday.
There will be “significant accumulations” of snow over the weekend, Met Office chief forecaster Jason Kelly said, with up to 40cm possible in the worst affected areas of the amber warning. Around 3-7cm is expected more widely.
Power cuts, rail delays and cancellations, and road issues should all be expected by residents of the affected areas, the Met Office adds.
There is also a danger of “treacherous conditions” due to icy conditions, with “freezing rain, ice and heavy rain” bringing a “range of weather hazards” to the UK, Mr Kelly said.
A warning for ice will be in place from 4pm on Friday until 10am on Saturday, covering Scotland, north west England, northern Wales and parts of Northern Ireland.
It will come before a snow and ice warning will be introduced at 12pm on Saturday across most of England – including the areas under the amber warnings – with power cuts and travel delays possible across large parts of the UK as a result.
The warning will last until 23:59 on Sunday.
At midnight on Sunday, another yellow warning for snow will be introduced across most of Scotland, and will remain in place until 12pm on Monday.
Met Office chief forecaster Jason Kelly, said: “This weekend will bring a range of weather hazards to the UK, notable snow accumulations, freezing rain, ice and heavy rain as well as some gusty conditions.
“We have issued a number of severe weather warnings, including Amber warnings for snow and ice in parts of England and Wales.
“Some significant accumulations of snow are possible across parts of Wales, the Midlands and northern England in particular, where 5 cm or more could accumulate fairly widely, with as much as 20-30 cm over high ground of mid and north Wales and potentially 30-40 cm over parts of the Pennines.
“This, accompanied by strengthening winds, may lead to drifting of lying snow.”
Snow and ice will cause problematic travel conditions, and National Highways warns drivers to reduce their speed and keep their distance from other cars.
National Highways severe weather resilience manager, Darren Clark: “If you are travelling this weekend, keep your distance and reduce your speed. 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.
“Even in conditions that seem normal and where the snow is not settling you could always experience slippery conditions.
“Drivers should plan their journeys, check their vehicles, monitor weather reports and pack a snow kit of blankets, food, water and a shovel.”
Health authorities have issued a major health warning due to cold weather, after temperatures dropped as low as -7.4C in some parts of northern England in the early hours of Friday morning.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has issued an amber Cold-Health Alert (CHA), starting at midday on Thursday and lasting until Wednesday 8 January.
There is an “increase in risk to health” for elderly people, people with pre-existing health conditions, and other vulnerable groups – including those sleeping rough.
