Now for the snow: Flood-hit Britain braced as Met Office issues weather warnings for ice and cold

7 January 2024, 12:09 | Updated: 8 January 2024, 12:44

Heavy snow is forecast for Monday as new yellow weather alerts for ice were issued for swathes of England.

The Met Office alert stretches across London, Kent, Surrey and East and West Sussex.

It said a "mix of sleet and snow showers" will move in from 4am on Monday as temperatures plummet to near zero.

The largest amount will fall on the North Downs in Sussex, with the weather service saying it could get "quite heavy".

Read More: Snow to fall again next week as Brits warned of 'disruptive' blast from the North amid plummeting temperatures

Journeys on Monday morning may take longer and pedestrians and cyclists should try to stick to main roads.

Separately, amber cold health alerts have been issued for the North West, West and East Midlands and South West England, which will stay in place until Friday.

These join existing yellow warnings for the North East, Yorkshire and the Humber, the South East, London and the East of England.

"A mix of sleet and snow showers will move in from the east later on Sunday night along with temperatures near zero. Given these wintry showers, and also wet surfaces after recent wet weather, some icy patches are likely on untreated surfaces," the Met Office said.

"Additionally a few of the snow showers could turn quite heavy; these probably only affecting a narrow zone but a few places could see 1-3 cm, mainly over the north Downs and on grassy surfaces."

Read more: Pub owner keeps spirits afloat as he enjoys pint of Guinness in waist-high flood waters

The ice warning will expire at 10am on Monday.

Dr Agostinho Sousa, the head of extreme events and health protection at the UK Health Security Agency, which helps issue the cold health alerts, said: "With the Met Office forecasting drops in temperature across the United Kingdom into next week, it is important to check in on the wellbeing of those most vulnerable to the cold.

"Cold weather can increase the risks of heart attacks, strokes, and chest infections, so it can have a serious impact on health, particularly for older people and those with pre-existing health conditions.

"Temperatures are expected to turn particularly cold overnight, as we would expect at this time of year.

"If you have a pre-existing medical condition or are over the age of 65 it is important to try and heat the rooms where you spend most of your time, such as your living room or bedroom, in the coming days."

Read more: Flood victims should be 'reassured' over response, Sunak says despite more than 1,000 homes deluged

An amber warning shows "weather impacts are likely to be felt across the whole health service, and at this level we may begin to see some health impacts across the wider population, not just the most vulnerable; non-health sectors may also start to observe impacts and a more significant coordinated response may be required".

The bad weather comes after days of heavy rain brought by Storm Henk caused rivers to burst their banks in England, leading to hundreds of flood alerts and warnings.

A major incident was declared in Nottinghamshire after the Trent flooded and more than 100 homes were deluged.

Some 50 homes on Alney Island, Gloucestershire were evacuated while about 50 people had to be taken off Hackney Wick in London.