Fresh weather warnings have been issued across the UK, with parts of the country bracing for blizzard conditions and significant disruption. The Met Office has escalated its alerts, highlighting dangerous travel conditions and school closures.
Amber Warning and Widespread Disruption
An amber warning for snow remains in force for northeast England, including areas around Scarborough, Whitby, and south of Middlesbrough, until 9pm on Thursday. The Met Office has warned of significant snow accumulations of up to 25cm (10 inches) over the North York Moors and parts of the Yorkshire Wolds, particularly on hills above 100 metres.
Gusty winds are expected to create occasional blizzard conditions, with the potential for lightning strikes adding to the hazards. This has led to severe travel issues, with reports from Sky News correspondent Shingi Mararike indicating that some A-roads in North Yorkshire are gridlocked. Gritters and snow ploughs are working to manage the situation, notably on the A169 between Pickering and Whitby, which is covered in a thick coat of snow.
School Closures and Health Alerts
The severe weather has forced dozens of schools to close in North Yorkshire and Scotland. Beyond the immediate travel chaos, public health is also a concern.
The UK Health Security Agency has issued amber cold-health alerts for North East England, North West England, and the Yorkshire and the Humber region. These alerts, designed to prepare health services for potential rises in mortality among vulnerable groups, are active until 8am on 22 November. Yellow cold-health alerts cover the rest of England.
Record Lows and a Penguin's Advice
The UK is experiencing its coldest spell of the season so far. Overnight from Wednesday into Thursday was the coldest night, with temperatures plummeting to -6.6°C (20°F) in Benson, Oxfordshire. Similar lows were recorded in Wales and Scotland.
In light of the icy conditions, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde is reviving its viral safety tip: walk like a penguin. Laura Halcrow, the health board's falls prevention lead, emphasised that while the waddling technique might look amusing, it is an effective way to prevent dangerous slips on ice, which can lead to serious injuries, especially for older people.
Looking ahead, Sky's weather presenter Jo Wheeler forecasts a change. The cold, wintry conditions are expected to be replaced by wet and windy weather over the weekend, with heavy rain crossing the country on Saturday before a potential return to chilly northerly winds.
