Snow and ice warnings as cold blast hits UK

Yellow weather warnings for rain and snow are in effect across various regions of the UK, with cold conditions expected to persist through Friday.

"The worst seems to be behind us, but conditions remain unsettled," remarked Dan Stroud of the Met Office.

On Friday, snow warnings cover northern England, Northern Ireland, and Scotland, while southern England faces a rain warning. Additionally, a warning for snow and ice is active in central and northern Scotland.


Thursday witnessed the closure of numerous schools and significant travel disruptions. The Met Office recorded approximately 10cm of snow in Kirkwall, Orkney, Scotland, and registered a low temperature of -13.8°C in Altnaharra, Scottish Highlands.

Heavy rainfall also occurred, with 43.2mm recorded in Harbertonford, South Devon, nearly half the area's average for February. Despite this, all schools in Flintshire, north Wales, were closed preemptively, prompting criticism from parents.

School closures were widespread across Wales, Yorkshire, Derbyshire, Staffordshire, and Cumbria, while North Wales Police reported several minor road traffic incidents.

Rail and road travel experienced disruptions, including delays reported by Great Western Railway due to flooding between Bath and Swindon. London's Euston station faced significant delays, partially due to a swan on the railway line.

The Met Office cautioned that untreated pavements and cycle paths are likely to be hazardous, with potential for slips and falls on icy surfaces.

Weather conditions varied significantly across the UK, particularly depending on elevation. Snowfall is anticipated in lower regions of north Wales and northern England, potentially impacting morning commutes.

Precipitation types may vary, with sleet or rain mixing in, particularly in the afternoon as milder air moves northward.

Other warnings issued across UK include:

• A warning for rain is in place for much of southern England and parts of south Wales where periods of heavy rain are expected from 02:00 GMT on Thursday until 06:00 on Friday
• A snow warning covers much of northern England, north Wales and the Midlands from 06:00 Thursday until 06:00 on Friday
• A snow and ice warning covers the most of Northern Ireland from 09:00 on Thursday until 06:00 on Friday
• A snow and ice warning is in place for central and southern Scotland from 18:00 on Thursday until 15:00 on Friday
• Into Thursday night and Friday morning, snow will fall more into Scotland, accompanied by strong winds.

Heavy spells could also be possible as temperatures rise in England and Wales.

The UK's cold weather comes as the EU's climate service says global warming for the first time has exceeded the 1.5C warning limit across an entire year.

World leaders promised in 2015 to try to limit the long-term temperature rise to 1.5C, a target seen as crucial to help avoid the most damaging impacts.

Urgent action to cut carbon emissions can still slow warming, scientists say.