The United Kingdom encountered its coldest night since 2010 as temperatures dropped significantly across various regions.
With readings as low as -8C (18F) atop Aonach Mor in the Scottish Highlands, -5.5C (22F) in Prestwick, and -6.1C (21F) in Keswick, the pervasive cold gripped the areas.
Snow covered extensive parts of Scotland and eastern England, extending even to Norfolk, indicating more wintry weather ahead. However, freezing fog added to the hazardous conditions, particularly in the Midlands, north-west England, and Northern Ireland, posing risks for travelers.
Expected snowfall in the north and east of Scotland, eastern England, and potential overnight snow on the moors of southwest England contributed to the wintry forecast. Meanwhile, Northern Ireland encountered icy roads due to a combination of rain, snow, and freezing fog, with bouts of sleet in north Wales.
The cold air sweeping across the UK originates from Scandinavia, where exceptionally low November temperatures persist, intensifying the wintry conditions.
The Met Office issued snow and ice warnings for several regions from Wednesday through Friday morning. Yellow warnings indicate perilous conditions, potentially disrupting travel, causing delays on roads and railways, and creating icy patches on pavements.
Motorists were alerted about road closures such as the shut A169 in the North York Moors and the A1671 between Whitby and Pickering.
In London, Sadiq Khan activated a “severe weather emergency protocol,” mandating additional shelter for homeless individuals as temperatures fell below freezing.
Simultaneously, the UK Health Security Agency raised an amber cold-health alert for northern regions and a yellow alert for the Midlands, signaling potential health impacts.
Dr. Agostinho Sousa stressed the importance of vigilance, highlighting the need to check on vulnerable individuals and ensure adequate heating for the elderly and sick.
With weather warnings and health alerts in place until December 5, the nation prepared for further wintry challenges, urging caution and care amid the biting cold.
On Thursday, a second set of warnings was issued for eastern Scotland and north-east England down to North Yorkshire, with most of southwest England facing similar warnings for the day. Additionally, much of Northern Ireland was warned about potential ice on Thursday.
The snow and ice warning has been extended into Friday morning for most of the east coast of the UK.
These yellow graded warnings indicate that people could encounter hazardous conditions, with disruptions and delays likely on roads and railways, along with icy patches on roads and pavements.
