Wintry conditions have swept across the United Kingdom, causing school closures and travel chaos. Over 100 schools were closed in Scotland and dozens were shut in Merseyside as temperatures plummeted and snow fell. Freezing winds blowing in from the north brought yellow warnings for snow and ice that were in effect for much of northern England, Northern Ireland, Scotland, and North Wales throughout Tuesday.
Scotland was expected to be hit hardest, with up to 10cm of snow falling on higher ground in the country, as well as in the Pennines. Gritters were sent out through the night by Transport Scotland to minimise disruption, and more than 50 schools were shut in the Highlands, with Aberdeenshire also affected. In other parts of Scotland, there was 1-5cm of snowfall.
Liverpool Council deployed staff to clear snow around schools, hospitals and transport links. Roads were closed in Belthorn, Lancashire, after a crash, and the police warned of “very dangerous” driving conditions. National Rail warned there may be disruption throughout the week across their network as the Met Office warned of freezing temperatures making roads dangerous.
UK Health Security Agency has issued an amber cold weather warning for the whole of England, meaning it expects the NHS to see increased demand, particularly from the older and more vulnerable people. The cold snap has also triggered automatic £25 payments for eligible households in receipt of certain benefits in over 220 postcodes where temperatures are expected to be below zero for a full week. Eligible households can also receive the heating cost assistance in some parts of Wales and northern and eastern England.
Looking ahead to the rest of the week, Ben Rich, a BBC Weather forecaster, said milder and wetter weather will sweep across the nation over the weekend, which is expected to bring the cold spell to an end. An area of low pressure will move across France on Wednesday and may graze the south of England. However, computer models have struggled with this aspect of the forecast
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