Heavy snow warnings have been issued across the UK, as a cold blast is set to sweep the country over the weekend, bringing sub-zero temperatures, health risks and disruption.
An amber warning for snow and rare freezing rain covering most of Wales and central England is in place from 6pm on Saturday to midday on Sunday, the Met Office said.
Another amber snow alert will then be in place across most of northern England from 9pm on Saturday until close of Sunday.
Up to 40cm of snow is expected in the worst affected areas, while much of the warning area can expect 3cm to 7cm, the Met Office predicted.
Seven yellow weather warnings for snow, ice or rain have also been issued across the UK, covering different periods of time over the weekend and into Monday.
The alerts come after the forecaster confirmed temperatures plunged to as low as -8.6C in Aboyne in Aberdeenshire overnight.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has issued a Cold-Health Alert (CHA), warning of an “increase in risk to health”.
The Met Office also warned of likely disruption caused by the weather, including stranded vehicles on the roads, delayed or cancelled rail and air travel, power cuts, and rural communities getting cut off.
Mapped: Where snow will hit UK this weekend
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.
Here are all the weather warnings mapped:
Tara Cobham4 January 2025 19:00
In pictures: Parts of country already blanketed in white as more snow on its way
Tara Cobham4 January 2025 18:00
Can and should you walk your dogs in the snow and freezing temperatures?
UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) cold weather health alerts for all of England remain in place ahead of a week of low temperatures.
With this news, many will be thinking about how this chilly weather may affect our pets.
Tara Cobham4 January 2025 17:00
Met Office’s forecast for this evening as disruption likely
The Met Office has forecast rain, sleet and snow will move northeastwards across much of the UK this evening.
The weather service warned disruption is likely in places.
Tara Cobham4 January 2025 16:45
Public urged to take ‘extra care’ as Ireland braces for severe weather
The public has been urged to take extra care this weekend following warnings of a “multi-hazard weather event” due to hit Ireland on Saturday.
It comes as the Government’s national emergency co-ordination group (NECG) met on Saturday to prepare for the severe weather forecast across the country.
Taoiseach Simon Harris was also briefed by the emergency director about their plans.
Snow, ice, heavy rain and sleet are to sweep over the island of Ireland as temperatures continue to plummet.
Tara Cobham4 January 2025 16:13
Amber snow and ice warnings in place in two hours’ time
Amber snow and ice warnings will be in place in two hours’ time.
The Met Office has issued the weather warnings for large parts of England and Wales from 6pm this evening through into Sunday.
Tara Cobham4 January 2025 15:51
RSPCA warns householders that salt and antifreeze kill pets
Amber severe weather warnings for ice and snow have been issued for parts of England and Wales amid a cold snap gripping the country.
Most of the Midlands, Wales, and parts of northern England will be covered by an amber warning for snow and ice from 6pm on Saturday until noon on Sunday.
My colleague Jane Dalton reports:
Tara Cobham4 January 2025 15:31
Horse racing at Sandown Park in Surrey ‘abandoned due to frozen ground’
Horse racing at Sandown Park in Surrey was abandoned on Saturday, with the racecourse saying the weather meant there “would not be sufficient time for the ground to become raceable”.
In a statement posted on social media, the racecourse added: “Following this morning’s inspection, sadly racing today has been abandoned due to frozen ground.”
Tara Cobham4 January 2025 15:10
Met Office forecasts cold conditions across UK this afternoon including snow
The Met Office has forecast cold conditions across the UK this afternoon, including the arrival of snow in some parts.
In a post on X, the weather service said: “Most places dry and cold this afternoon, with freezing fog patches persisting across Northern Ireland.
“Wintry showers in the north and west, most frequent in the far north.
“Thicker cloud with rain, sleet and snow arriving into southwest England and Wales.”
Tara Cobham4 January 2025 14:50
Further weather warnings could be issued for start of next week
Further weather warnings could be issued for the start of next week as the plummeting temperatures are expected to continue.
Milder air will briefly cover some southern areas during the weekend before a new northerly flow allows colder conditions to return across the UK next week, the Met Office said.
Deputy chief forecaster Dan Holley said temperatures would remain below average with some areas struggling to get above freezing for several days.
Tara Cobham4 January 2025 14:30
