UK weather: Cold health alerts begin ahead of snow and ice warnings to coincide with Monday rush hour
A cold weather warning has been issued for much of England starting this morning, as an Arctic blast is expected to move across the UK.
The alert issued by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) will be in place from 9 AM on Sunday until 9 AM on Thursday.
The Met Office has released two distinct yellow alerts for snow and ice. The first warning covers northern Scotland, starting at 4 PM on Sunday and lasting until 11 AM on Monday. There could be as much as 10 centimeters (4 inches) of snow on higher elevations.
Look up the weather prediction for your region.
A second yellow warning is in effect from 7 PM on Monday until 10 AM on Tuesday, impacting areas in northern England and southern Scotland.
Higher elevations could see as much as 20 centimeters (8 inches) of snowfall, while lower areas might receive about 10 centimeters (4 inches).
For the past few days, weather experts have been warning that a cold front is heading towards the UK. However, there has been some doubt about how likely it is to bring snow and what effect it might have.
According to Met Office meteorologist Ellie Glaiyser, Sunday is expected to begin with cold temperatures, typically ranging from 4 to 5 degrees Celsius (39 to 41 degrees Fahrenheit) in northern Scotland. The afternoon is likely to see a lot of rain showers.
In the southernmost parts of England, temperatures are forecasted to be around 11-12°C (52-53°F), along with some clearer periods.
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However, by Monday morning, there is a possibility of delays during the morning commute as temperatures are expected to fall to around freezing, especially in countryside regions.
In the northern regions, temperatures may drop significantly, resulting in potentially tough frost conditions, she mentioned, which could create some slippery areas.
The yellow weather alert for Monday spans from Huddersfield in northern England all the way up to Stirling in Scotland.
The Met Office predicts that sleet and snow are expected to accumulate mainly in elevated areas like the Pennines.
It cautions that there could be a slight possibility of power outages, interruptions to bus and train operations, and delays for motorists on the roads.
She mentioned that we might experience some sleet and snow on Monday afternoon, which could lead to some disturbances at lower elevations. However, she noted that any sleet and snow is expected to be mainly confined to certain areas in Scotland.
At the same time, a yellow alert from UKHSA is currently in effect, which is the second lowest of four alert categories. This alert will remain active for the next several days and affects a broad region of England located north of Northampton.
It activates when there's a possibility that healthcare services could become overwhelmed, aiming to support individuals who are especially at risk and may find it challenging to manage the situation.
