Widespread school closures, road disruption and health alerts as UK braces for severe cold snap…reports Asian Lite News
Icy conditions are set to sweep into more parts of the UK overnight, following a day of significant disruption that saw hundreds of schools shut, major routes closed and snow and ice affecting communities from Scotland to Wales and eastern England.
The Met Office has issued a series of yellow weather warnings for ice across large parts of the country, covering north-east Scotland, western Wales, south-west England and stretches of the east coast. Some of these warnings were already in place on Thursday, while others have been extended as temperatures are forecast to plunge further.
Against this backdrop, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has issued cold-health alerts for England until Saturday, warning of potential impacts on elderly people and those with existing health conditions.
Snowfall was recorded across several regions on Thursday. Altnaharra in northern Scotland and Loch Glascarnoch in the west both reported 9cm of snow by late morning, with further showers expected to bring challenging conditions. The Met Office said gusty winds, occasional blizzard-like spells and even isolated lightning strikes could accompany the snow, posing risks to travellers and affecting visibility on exposed routes.
A series of yellow ice warnings remain in place into Friday morning. Cornwall in south-west England is covered until 11:00, while advice also extends to parts of eastern and south-east England, the East Midlands and Yorkshire and Humber for the same period. In north-east Scotland, warnings run until 11:00, and parts of north-east England and Yorkshire and Humber are also affected until midday. Western Wales remains under a yellow warning until 11:00.
The cold snap prompted widespread school closures. In North Yorkshire, around 40 schools shut their doors on Thursday, and 10 were listed as closed in East Yorkshire. Across north-east Scotland, more than 100 schools were unable to open due to heavy snowfall. Aberdeenshire Council reported dozens of closures, while schools in Moray and the Highlands were also affected.
Transport networks have faced significant strain. Sections of the A90 in Scotland were closed for several hours due to hazardous conditions, while the A939 was shut at the Tomintoul snow gate. Traffic Scotland urged drivers to take extra care or avoid non-essential travel in the most affected areas.
In Wales, National Grid said engineers responded to “several separate incidents” in the west of the country on Thursday afternoon as the weather affected power lines. Supplies were later restored in Newcastle Emlyn and Pontypridd following repair work. School closures were widespread in Welsh counties, with 40 schools shut in Pembrokeshire, seven in Ceredigion and 14 in Carmarthenshire.
Health authorities have been monitoring the situation closely. The UKHSA issued amber cold-health alerts – its second-highest level – for the North West, North East and Yorkshire and Humber until 08:00 on Saturday, warning of “significant impacts” on vulnerable people and on health and social care services. All other regions of England are under yellow alerts.
Community groups and charities have urged people to check on neighbours who may struggle in the cold. Alex Parker from the North Yorkshire branch of Age UK said he is “really concerned about the people that we support” and their “ability to get out and about, to be able to continue with their daily lives and to make sure they’re safe and comfortable in their own homes”.
He emphasised the importance of vulnerable residents being able to keep warm and maintain access to food, drinks and medication, adding that simple welfare checks from neighbours could make a crucial difference.
In Beverley, David Jefferson, 79, said the snow made everyday tasks more difficult. “I find the snow difficult to walk in, especially when you get to my time of life,” he said. “The sooner it goes the better really.”
Forecasters expect cold conditions to persist into the weekend, with further ice, isolated snow showers and freezing overnight temperatures likely to keep disruption ongoing. Emergency services, local councils and transport operators have advised the public to remain cautious, follow updates closely and prepare for continued delays as the cold spell moves across the UK.
