The United Kingdom has endured what is likely the coldest night of the year so far, with temperatures dropping to a biting -12°C (10°F) in parts of Scotland. The severe conditions prompted the Met Office to issue seven yellow weather warnings for ice across the nation on Friday morning.
End of the Deep Freeze
According to Met Office meteorologist Simon Partridge, the intense cold snap reached its peak on Friday. He explained that a ridge of high pressure and lighter winds overnight contributed to the significant temperature drop, with readings as low as -7°C (19°F) recorded across England and Wales.
Mr Partridge confirmed that Friday marks the end of the severe cold spell, with conditions expected to return to average seasonal temperatures over the weekend. However, this shift will bring its own challenges, including wet, windy weather and potentially heavy rain.
Widespread Disruption and Safety Advice
The wintry blast caused considerable disruption, forcing hundreds of schools to close on Thursday due to hazardous conditions and power outages. Commuters were advised to allow at least an extra five minutes for their journeys on Friday morning due to icy patches on roads.
In a novel approach to public safety, several NHS trusts have been encouraging people to walk like a penguin to reduce the risk of falls on icy surfaces. Laura Halcrow from NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde emphasised the effectiveness of this technique, stating, "It might look funny, but waddling really works. A slip on ice can cause painful injuries and even hospital stays, especially for older people."
Pedestrians were urged to stick to main road pavements, which are likely to be less slippery, while cyclists were advised to use main roads themselves. Gritting teams were deployed in force, particularly in hard-hit areas like North Yorkshire.
Weather Warnings and What's Next
The yellow weather warnings for ice, covering large areas of England, Wales, and Scotland, were expected to expire by lunchtime on Friday. Forecasters warned that showers could fall as rain, sleet, or small hail at lower levels, with up to 3cm of snow possible on higher ground.
Amber health alerts for the North East and North West of England, along with a yellow alert for the rest of the country, were set to expire at 8am on Saturday. Sky's weather presenter Jo Wheeler noted the fickle nature of British weather, indicating a brief return to milder conditions followed by another quick change back to chilly northerly flows.
Until this recent cold snap, the period from Wednesday into Thursday had held the record for the coldest night of the year, with a temperature of -6.6°C (20°F) recorded in Oxfordshire.
