URGENT UPDATE: Northern England is set to experience significant snowfall this week, with the Met Office warning that up to 5cm of snow could blanket the region, impacting travel and daily routines.
As an Atlantic low-pressure system collides with an Arctic airmass, rain is expected to turn to snow across Scotland and northern England starting Tuesday, January 2, 2024. The Met Office forecasts 1–5 cm of snow in northern England and up to 10–15 cm in central and eastern Scotland. In response, two amber snow warnings have been issued for northern Scotland, effective until Tuesday evening.
The situation is compounded by yellow warnings for snow and ice across southwest England, northern England, eastern England, and Wales. A yellow warning indicates potential travel delays, though many people may still manage their routines.
Forecaster Aidan McGivern stated in a recent Met Office video that there is a 20% chance the incoming system will take a northern route, leading to widespread “disruptive” wind and rain across much of England and Wales, with the potential for additional snow in northern England and Southern Scotland. Conversely, a 30% chance exists that the front will track through northern France, bringing significant snowfall to southern counties of England, particularly in elevated areas.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has issued amber cold health alerts throughout England, warning that low temperatures could adversely affect health and wellbeing until Friday.
As temperatures plunged to a frigid minus 10.9C in Shap, Cumbria, hundreds of schools across the UK closed on Monday, with disruptions to flights and train services reported. The Met Office recorded a staggering 52cm of snow at Tomintoul in Banffshire.
Train services in northern Scotland are anticipated to face delays until the end of the day on Tuesday, according to National Rail. However, ScotRail noted that morning services between Aberdeen and Dundee would operate. Meanwhile, CalMac Ferries has announced that services on the west coast of Scotland will be disrupted throughout Tuesday.
In response to the cold snap, Liverpool John Lennon Airport reported runway closures due to severe weather, leading to delays and cancellations, though it reopened later in the day.
To assist vulnerable populations during this cold spell, the UK Government is distributing £25 cold weather payments to hundreds of thousands of households to help with heating costs. These payments have been triggered on four occasions from December 30, 2023, to January 3, 2024, encompassing 451 postcode areas across England, Wales, and Northern Ireland.
The Alzheimer’s Society has urged families to check in on loved ones with dementia during this critical time, recommending that they dress warmly in layers, keep living spaces heated, and maintain routines. Angelo Makri from the Alzheimer’s Society emphasized, “Winter can be a worrying time for families caring for a loved one with dementia. Regularly checking in can ensure they remain comfortable, safe, and as independent as possible.”
As the week unfolds, residents are advised to stay vigilant and prepare for potentially hazardous conditions. The situation is developing, and updates will follow as more information becomes available.
