Flood warnings issued as temperatures plummet, with snow, sleet, and ice set to hit UK
14 January 2023, 21:06 | Updated: 15 January 2023, 11:55
More than 100 flood warnings have been issued across the UK, as Brits brace for a wet and windy weekend following recent heavy rain.
The Environment Agency had issued 119 flood warnings and 192 flood alerts in England as of early Sunday morning, up from 98 warnings and 169 alerts on Saturday.
Meanwhile, the Met Office put multiple yellow warnings in place for snow and ice through to Wednesday, as the mercury is expected to fall even further.
The forecaster said: "A few centimetres of snow are likely at low levels over a given 24-hour period, with the potential for 10-15cm above 200 metres, especially across parts of the Highlands.
"Ice will be additional hazard, especially Tuesday night."
As low pressure moves away into the North Sea, it's expected to pull down cooler air into Sunday.
This will lead to lower temperatures and the likelihood of widespread overnights and a notable "wind chill" generated by northerly winds.
Temperatures could drop down to as low as -10°C in some parts of Scotland.
As the wintry weather moves in, a yellow warning has issued for ice much of Scotland and northern England, while a warning of snow and ice remains in place for the far north of Scotland until Wednesday.
Elsewhere, some showers in the South and West may also turn to sleet and snow, mainly over high ground areas like Brecon Beacons, Exmoor and Dartmoor.
Members of the public have been warned to be cautious as there could be icy patches on untreated roads, pavements and cycle paths.
It's likely some roads and railways will be affected.
But it's expected the cold spell won't last long, with milder air arriving from the Atlantic towards the end of the week, bringing wet and windy weather back to the UK.
The Met Office said: "By Sunday most of the UK will be in the northerly airflow, with lower temperatures spreading further south overnight.
"Showers will fall increasingly as sleet and snow in the north, even to lower levels. Some showers further South and West, and perhaps a more persistent spell of rain overnight into Monday, could also turn to sleet and snow mainly over high ground such as the Brecon Beacons, Exmoor and Dartmoor.
"Overnight frost will become more widespread by Monday night, with overnight temperatures below 0°C across much of the UK. Temperatures could get down to -10°C in sheltered glens, or across high ground areas of Scotland where there is lying snow."
Earlier, flood defences, including boarding, were deployed in York city centre.
City of York Council said it had taken the measure to keep the area "safe and open" as it urged visitors to plan their journeys in advance.
Rescue workers were seen using a boat to navigate the floodwater in the centre of York after the River Ouse burst its banks.
