Six yellow weather warnings for snow and ice are in place across the UK, with the latest warnings stretching into Monday. Meanwhile, a number of amber snow warnings for northern Scotland and Shetland are in place throughout Saturday as Britons brace for grim wintery conditions.
The Met Office said areas under amber alerts could be hit with 10-20cm of snow at lower altitudes and as much as 30-40cm of snow on higher ground, with winds potentially causing blizzards. Parts of northern Scotland have already seen widespread disruption to roads and railways due to snow, and the national weather agency has warned of a risk of power cuts, communities being cut off, and vehicles becoming stranded.
Other areas of the UK saw snow on Friday, and yellow warnings are now in place for parts of the UK, including much of Northern Ireland, until 3pm on Monday.
Daytime temperatures are expected to remain in the low single figures for much of the country tomorrow (Saturday, January 4) and sub zero in parts of northern Scotland.
Met Office chief meteorologist Rebekah Hicks said: “Arctic air and brisk northerly winds are gripping the UK as we start the new year.
“Snow and ice warnings remain in force for many areas, with the risk of heavy snow showers, especially across northern Scotland and over higher ground elsewhere, though many inland areas will stay largely sunny and clear.
“Bitterly cold conditions will persist through the weekend and into next week, with daytime temperatures struggling to rise above freezing for some, and overnight lows dipping to minus double figures in places.
“We urge people to stay #WeatherAware, keep up to date with the forecasts and plan ahead as icy roads and slippery surfaces are likely.”
Meanwhile, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has issued warnings across England which will remain in place until 10am on January 9.
The amber cold health alert means that the weather is expected to have severe impacts across health and social care services.
It’s been issued for the East Midlands, West Midlands, North East, North West, South East, South West, East of England, Yorkshire and the Humber, and London.
Officials expect an increase in deaths, particularly among those aged 65 and over or with health conditions. Impacts are also possible on younger age groups.
Yellow warning for ice: in place until 10am today (January 3).
Regions and local authorities affected:
South West England
- Bath and North East Somerset
- Cornwall
- Devon
- Dorset
- North Somerset
- Plymouth
- Somerset
Yellow warning for snow and ice: also in place until 10am today (Saturday, January 3).
Regions and local authorities affected:
Wales
- Bridgend
- Cardiff
- Carmarthenshire
- Ceredigion
- Conwy
- Denbighshire
- Gwynedd
- Isle of Anglesey
- Merthyr Tydfil
- Neath Port Talbot
- Pembrokeshire
- Powys
- Rhondda Cynon Taf
- Swansea
- Vale of Glamorgan
- Wrexham
Yellow warning for snow and ice: in place until 11.59pm today (Saturday, January 3).
Regions and local authorities affected:
East Midlands
East of EnglandNorth East England
- Durham
- Gateshead
- Hartlepool
- Middlesbrough
- Newcastle upon Tyne
- North Tyneside
- Northumberland
- Redcar and Cleveland
- South Tyneside
- Stockton-on-Tees
- Sunderland
Yorkshire & Humber
- East Riding of Yorkshire
- North East Lincolnshire
- North Yorkshire
Yellow warning for snow and ice: in place from midday today (January 3) until midday on Monday, January 5
Regions and local authorities affected:
Northern Ireland
- County Antrim
- County Armagh
- County Down
- County Londonderry
- County Tyrone
Separate yellow warning for snow and ice in Northern Ireland from midday Saturday until midday on MondayNorthern Ireland
- County Antrim
- County Armagh
- County Down
- County Londonderry
- County Tyrone
Yellow warning for snow and ice currently in place until midday on Monday in Scotland
Regions and local authorities affected:
Central, Tayside & Fife
- Angus
- Dundee
- Perth and Kinross
- Stirling
Grampian
- Aberdeen
- Aberdeenshire
- Moray
Highlands & Eilean Siar
- Na h-Eileanan Siar
- Highland
Orkney & Shetland
- Orkney Islands
- Shetland Islands
Strathclyde
- Argyll and Bute
- Inverclyde
- West Dunbartonshire
Amber warnings for snow also in place in Scotland until midday today
Regions and local authorities affected:
Central, Tayside & FifeGrampian
- Aberdeen
- Aberdeenshire
- Moray
Highlands & Eilean Siar
Orkney & Shetland
Another yellow weather warning for snow on ice affecting parts of England and Wales will come into effect from 3pm tomorrow and remain in place until midday on Monday
Regions and local authorities affected:
East MidlandsNorth West England
- Cheshire East
- Cheshire West and Chester
- Greater Manchester
South West EnglandWales
- Blaenau Gwent
- Caerphilly
- Carmarthenshire
- Ceredigion
- Conwy
- Denbighshire
- Flintshire
- Gwynedd
- Merthyr Tydfil
- Neath Port Talbot
- Pembrokeshire
- Powys
- Rhondda Cynon Taf
- Swansea
- Wrexham
West Midlands
- Shropshire
- Staffordshire
- Stoke-on-Trent
- Telford and Wrekin
On Monday, a yellow warning for snow and ice will come into affect in England from 3am to 3pmRegions and local authorities affected:East MidlandsEast of EnglandNorth East England
- Durham
- Hartlepool
- Middlesbrough
- Redcar and Cleveland
- Stockton-on-Tees
Yorkshire & Humber
- East Riding of Yorkshire
- North East Lincolnshire
- North Yorkshire
You can can find the most up to date warnings and guidance on the Met Office website.