Brits braced for 250-mile wall of snow as weather alerts issued and drivers told to take extra care on ‘ice rink Monday’

4 December 2023, 09:49 | Updated: 4 December 2023, 12:59

Large parts of the UK are under a weather alert for snow today
Large parts of the UK are under a weather alert for snow today. Picture: Alamy

By Asher McShane

Brits could face a 250-mile snow front with new weather warnings issued for today.

Listen to this article

Loading audio...

Snow and ice warnings are in place until midday for Scotland, northern England and parts of North Wales with up to 10cm of snow forecast in some places.

Parts of the Peak District and North Wales could get up to 15cm of snow.

Read More: Exact date snow will end as temperatures to hit 13C after cold snap

Drivers have been warned they face "very treacherous icy conditions" in parts of the UK on Monday after another night of sub-zero temperatures.

Overnight temperatures, which dipped to around or below freezing in many of the affected areas, were expected to cause icy patches on untreated surfaces due to thawed snow refreezing.

Joggers in snow in the Pentland Regional Park
Joggers in snow in the Pentland Regional Park. Picture: Alamy

RAC Breakdown spokesperson Simon Williams said northern parts of the country could be facing an "ice rink Monday as snow refreezes overnight".

He said: "We're expecting some very treacherous icy conditions in northern parts, so those who have to drive should exercise great caution. If it's possible to delay or even abandon journeys that may well be the best option.

"Those who decide to drive should leave extra space behind the vehicle in front, reduce their speeds to give plenty of time to stop.

Read more: Shocking moment robbers rip £30,000 Rolex from man's wrist in London street

Read more: Boris Johnson 'asked spies to look into raiding Dutch Covid vaccine plant after EU blocked export'

"Before setting out, it's important to allow more time to de-ice and de-mist vehicles thoroughly."

ScotRail advised passengers to check their journey before leaving home.

The Met Office has also issued a yellow warning for heavy rain creating disruption to travel across parts of southern England, south east Wales and into the Midlands which will last until 6pm.

The warning was extended on Monday west to include more of Devon and Somerset.

People walk through the snow beside the beach huts at Blyth in Northumberland
People walk through the snow beside the beach huts at Blyth in Northumberland. Picture: Alamy

Electricity North West said it was making hot food available at Greenodd Service Station in Ulverston on Monday morning for customers who remained without power.

On Sunday evening, they said 1,500 properties in Cumbria remained without electricity after power cuts followed heavy snow in the county.

The electricity network operator said it had restored power to 7,500 homes, adding that "access continues to be a major issue and even specialist 4x4 vehicles cannot reach all sites" with "equipment for repairs being carried on foot in some locations".

A Christmas scene in Kelvingrove park in Glasgow
A Christmas scene in Kelvingrove park in Glasgow. Picture: Alamy

It added that Cumbria's power network had been severely impacted by the snow with more than 35 separate damages to the network reported, including "severe damage to miles of overhead lines".

Cumberland Council said nearly 40 schools would remain closed on Monday due to the conditions.

The UK Health Security Agency and the Met Office have issued amber cold health alerts in five regions, the East Midlands, West Midlands, North West, North East and Yorkshire and the Humber, until December 5, meaning "cold weather impacts are likely to be felt across the whole health service for an extended period of time".

England and Wales was expected to be largely cloudy outside the warning areas on Monday with outbreaks of rain, some of them turning heavy.

Overnight snow was predicted to be confined largely to the north east and on hills with frost and ice in the north and north west.

The Met Office said rain and hill snow will gradually ease across England and Wales on Tuesday with brighter spells developing. It will be sunnier but cold elsewhere with a few wintry showers in the north east. Lighter winds for most.

After frost and fog clears for bright spells on Wednesday, wet and windy weather is expected to arrive from the south west, pushing north and east into Thursday and Friday, with some initial hill snow.

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

Former President Donald Trump speaks at a campaign rally in Reading, Pennsylvania

Trump threatens Mexico with 100% tariffs unless it cracks down on border crossings

Bridget Phillipson told Tonight with Andrew Marr that the fee hike was necessary to secure the future of universities.

‘Universities must reform’ says education secretary after first hike in tuition fees in 8 years

Two more cases of a new strain of mpox have been detected in the UK, officials say

Two more cases of new mpox strain detected in UK

Anya Taylor-Joy and her musician husband were the victims of a terrifying robbery

Anya Taylor-Joy and musician husband victims of burglary at London mansion

Exclusive
Nigel Farage speaking to LBC's Nick Ferrari about new Tory leader Kemi Badenoch

'The Remainers are back in town': Nigel Farage says Kemi Badenoch will bring 'no change whatsoever' to Tories

Amy Dowden

Strictly Come Dancing star Amy Dowden will not return to show this year following 'medical emergency'

Scott Paterson murdered his landlady Annette Smith

Tenant murdered and dismembered elderly landlady before posing as her by sending Christmas cards to family

Robert Jenrick, Priti Patel and Mel Stride will all serve in Kemi Badenoch's Shadow Cabinet

Kemi Badenoch names former leadership rivals Robert Jenrick and Priti Patel to Tory Shadow Cabinet team

Bridget Phillipson has confirmed the tuition fee rise

University tuition fees to rise for first time in eight years, as Tories accuse Labour of 'declaring war on students'

Sara Sharif had suffered dozens of injuries in the weeks leading up to her death, a court has heard

Video of Sara Sharif smiling and dancing 'days before murder' shown to court

Transport for London (TfL) has warned passengers that no Tube services are expected on Thursday 7 November

November Tube strikes to bring London to a halt this week despite RMT calling off action

Stuart Gogg during the Six Nations rugby match between France and Scotland in Saint-Denis, 26 February 2023

Former Scotland rugby captain pleads guilty to domestic abuse over five-year period against former partner

Kie Joyce, 21, was sentenced for his role in at least 35 phone thefts.

WATCH: Moment phone snatchers are arrested in London chicken shop after spree of thefts

One of two assassination attempts made towards the former President was carried out in Pennsylvania

Trump says he would not 'mind' if journalists were shot at Pennsylvania rally

A 10-year-old girl who was mauled to death by her family's dog had a 'close, loving relationship' with the pet that killed her, police have said.

'Devastated' family pay tribute to 'wonderful' 10-year-old girl mauled to death by pet dog

Trump has been fixated on crowd sizes throughout this election cycle

Trump's latest crowd size brag backfires as camera pans to reveal sea of empty seats