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Britain is set to shiver through a deep freeze this week, with temperatures struggling to rise above freezing as millions return to work and school following the festive break. The Met Office has issued a series of severe snow and ice warnings across the country, anticipating wintry hazards for several days.
Scotland is expected to bear the brunt of the adverse conditions, with multiple amber snow warnings in place. Regions including Aberdeen, Aviemore in the Cairngorms, and Ullapool, Ross-shire, are forecast to experience “heavy snow” and significant travel disruption until 10 am on Monday.
Elsewhere, yellow warnings for snow and ice affect Wales, Greater Manchester, and south-west England, while much of the east coast faces a yellow ice warning.
A yellow warning for snow and ice covers much of Scotland north of Glasgow, and expires at midnight on Monday.
The warnings cover much of the Highlands and Aberdeenshire areas, Orkney, Shetland, and Outer Hebridean Islands, from Sunday evening until 10am on Monday, with the potential for another 5cm to 10cm of snow accumulating at low levels, and 20cm to 30cm on high ground.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has issued an amber cold health alert, as an early warning that adverse temperatures are likely to affect health and wellbeing, for England, running until Tuesday.
Dr Agostinho Sousa, head of extreme events and health protection at UKHSA, urged people to check in on vulnerable friends, family and neighbours.
He warned: “The forecast temperatures can have a serious impact on the health of some people, leading to increased risk of heart attacks, strokes and chest infections, particularly for individuals over the age of 65 and those with pre-existing health conditions.”
The Met Office warned that people living in the regions covered by the amber weather warning could expect travel disruption, and that rural communities could become cut off.
It also said flights could be cancelled, and that mobile phone coverage could be affected.
ScotRail warned of disruption on routes around Aberdeen and Inverness for much of Monday.
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Swans on Tynemouth boating lake on the north-east coast of England (Owen Humphreys/PA)
Met Office chief meteorologist Matthew Lehnert said snow showers could be expected in the north of Scotland, and some places within the amber warning areas could see a further 20cm to 30cm accumulate by Monday morning.
He added: “Elsewhere in the UK, snow showers, ice and frost are expected at times but milder air will make attempts to spread eastward from Tuesday.
“This will mean rain becomes more likely in the south, but there is also the possibility of more organised snow along the boundary of the mild and cold airmasses. Strong winds could also be a feature later in the week.”
Scottish Transport Secretary Fiona Hyslop, said residents had already dealt with “challenging conditions and freezing temperatures, with more snow and ice on the way for the same areas”.
She said: “Of course for many, Monday marks a return to work from the festive break. If you have to travel then please ensure your vehicle is winter ready and have a winter kit in your car.
“Follow Police Scotland travel advice. If you can delay your journey until the amber warning has expired, please do so.”
Shetland Isles Council said schools would be closed on Monday.
A spokesperson for Aberdeen City Council said schools and ELC provisions in the city will not open until 11am on Monday and breakfast clubs will not run.
They added: “Further updates for each school will be provided by head teachers tomorrow morning once they have assessed individual local circumstances.”
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Traffic on the A9, south of Inverness (Paul Campbell/PA) (PA Wire)
George Fiddes, of Transport Scotland, said: “Particularly cold weather is expected this week which is likely to impact driving conditions in the areas covered by the yellow warning, so our advice to motorists is to plan your journey, leave extra time if needed and drive to the conditions.”
In Northern Ireland, a yellow snow and ice warning which has been in place over the weekend runs until Monday at noon.
It says: “The heaviest and most frequent snow showers will be in the north, although along the north coast these may fall as rain or sleet at times.
“Whilst not all locations in the warning areas will see snow, around 1cm-3cm is expected to have fallen in many places by Monday morning, with the potential for 5cm-10 cm to build up in a few locations, especially over higher routes such as the Glenshane Pass.”