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UK braced for several days of snow and freezing temperatures UK braced for several days of snow and freezing temperatures
(about 5 hours later)
Snow could strike parts of Britain on Friday, as forecasters warn of a cold snap hitting Britain with freezing temperatures in the lead-up to the New Year.Snow could strike parts of Britain on Friday, as forecasters warn of a cold snap hitting Britain with freezing temperatures in the lead-up to the New Year.
The Met Office has issued a cold weather alert for parts of England, saying there is an 80% probability of conditions that could “increase the health risks to vulnerable patients and disrupt the delivery of services”.The Met Office has issued a cold weather alert for parts of England, saying there is an 80% probability of conditions that could “increase the health risks to vulnerable patients and disrupt the delivery of services”.
Severe weather warnings are in place for snow from Friday afternoon, threatening disruption on one of the busiest shopping days of the year.Severe weather warnings are in place for snow from Friday afternoon, threatening disruption on one of the busiest shopping days of the year.
The Met Office said there is some uncertainty about which regions would see snow, but where it does fall there could be accumulations of between 2cm (0.8in) and 4cm (1.6in) and in excess of 10cm in areas of higher ground.The Met Office said there is some uncertainty about which regions would see snow, but where it does fall there could be accumulations of between 2cm (0.8in) and 4cm (1.6in) and in excess of 10cm in areas of higher ground.
Rain and sleet are also expected to fall across parts of Northern Ireland, England and Wales before clearing during the evening and overnight into Saturday.Rain and sleet are also expected to fall across parts of Northern Ireland, England and Wales before clearing during the evening and overnight into Saturday.
Millions are expected to hit the roads to visit relatives or to take advantage of Boxing Day sales but they were warned to keep up to date with forecasts.Millions are expected to hit the roads to visit relatives or to take advantage of Boxing Day sales but they were warned to keep up to date with forecasts.
The Met Office said: “The public should be aware of the potential for disruption from snow. Please watch for updates to this warning, especially if travelling.”The Met Office said: “The public should be aware of the potential for disruption from snow. Please watch for updates to this warning, especially if travelling.”
Conditions should become more settled as the weekend proceeds, but the mercury is likely to plunge below freezing overnight in much of the country next week.Conditions should become more settled as the weekend proceeds, but the mercury is likely to plunge below freezing overnight in much of the country next week.
The Met Office issued a cold weather alert on Thursday, saying there was an 80% probability of “severe cold weather/icy conditions/heavy snow” between 3pm on Friday and midnight on Wednesday in parts of England.The Met Office issued a cold weather alert on Thursday, saying there was an 80% probability of “severe cold weather/icy conditions/heavy snow” between 3pm on Friday and midnight on Wednesday in parts of England.
It said: “This weather could increase the health risks to vulnerable patients and disrupt the delivery of services.”It said: “This weather could increase the health risks to vulnerable patients and disrupt the delivery of services.”
The warning was at the yellow level, indicating a need for “alert and readiness”.The warning was at the yellow level, indicating a need for “alert and readiness”.
Krista Mitchell, a meteorologist at the Met Office, said: “This year as a whole has been very mild, so this could be the coldest spell that we’ve had.Krista Mitchell, a meteorologist at the Met Office, said: “This year as a whole has been very mild, so this could be the coldest spell that we’ve had.
“As we go towards Monday and Tuesday, we will see overnight temperatures really drop, with widespread frost and most places dropping below freezing.”“As we go towards Monday and Tuesday, we will see overnight temperatures really drop, with widespread frost and most places dropping below freezing.”
Rain, sleet and snow may also affect south west Scotland and the Strathclyde and Lothian and Borders, forecasters said. Rain, sleet and snow may also affect south-west Scotland and the Strathclyde and Lothian and Borders, forecasters said.
Transport Scotland said it was closely monitoring the conditions.Transport Scotland said it was closely monitoring the conditions.
A spokesman said: “As ever, the public have a vital role to play in terms of helping to minimise disruption.A spokesman said: “As ever, the public have a vital role to play in terms of helping to minimise disruption.
“We would advise people to prepare for some travel disruption as bridges could be affected by high winds and driving conditions could be challenging in some areas, so please allow extra time for your journeys.“We would advise people to prepare for some travel disruption as bridges could be affected by high winds and driving conditions could be challenging in some areas, so please allow extra time for your journeys.
“They should also check the relevant websites, such as Traffic Scotland, for up-to-date travel information before they set off.”“They should also check the relevant websites, such as Traffic Scotland, for up-to-date travel information before they set off.”
Rain and strong winds are possible in addition to snow as a depression developing over the Atlantic tracks over the UK on Saturday.Rain and strong winds are possible in addition to snow as a depression developing over the Atlantic tracks over the UK on Saturday.
There is also a risk of flooding in some parts.There is also a risk of flooding in some parts.