UK Plunges into Deep Freeze: Coldest Night of Autumn Triggers Tier 2 Cold Weather Health Alerts Across England
The UK has recorded its coldest night of the autumn so far, with temperatures plunging to minus 12.6C in Scotland. It is the lowest temperature observed on a November night in fifteen years and the coldest UK night overall since 11 January.
Wales fell to minus 7.2C, Northern Ireland dropped to minus 6C, and England reached minus 6.7C during the final hours of the current cold spell.
Cold health alerts have been issued across England, warning that the conditions could have “significant impacts” on older people and those with existing health concerns. A yellow ice warning is also in place for parts of north east England.
The cold snap has brought widespread disruption, several inches of snow and hundreds of school closures across the UK this week.
Alerts remain in place as Coldest temperature
The UK Health Security Agency has issued amber alerts until 08:00 GMT on Saturday for the North West, North East and Yorkshire and Humber. All other regions are under yellow alerts, signalling a lower but still notable risk to vulnerable groups.
The warnings highlight increased pressure on health and social care services as cold conditions heighten risks for older people and those with long term illnesses.
Earlier on Friday, yellow ice warnings were in place for parts of England, Scotland and Wales, but all expired by midday.
Overnight lows were recorded as follows:
• Tomintoul, Scotland: minus 12.6C
• Shap, England: minus 6.7C
• Swyddffynnon, Wales: minus 7.2C
• Katesbridge, Northern Ireland: minus 6C
Cold spell set to end as milder weather approaches
Friday marks the final day of the cold snap before milder, wetter and windier conditions return over the weekend. Temperatures are expected to rise to between 3C and 8C.
Most of the UK will see a dry day with sunny intervals, although showers will continue in Kent, East Anglia, Pembrokeshire and the Isles of Scilly.
Cloud will build over Northern Ireland and Scotland ahead of rain moving in from the north west later in the afternoon and evening.
National Rail advised passengers to check travel plans, particularly in areas affected by snow and ice. Services to and from Glasgow Central are expected to run normally after damaged overhead wires caused major disruption on Thursday.
Read More: Cold snap brings –6°C risk of snow as Storm
Snow triggers school closures and travel disruption
Heavy snowfall brought widespread disruption on Thursday, forcing hundreds of schools to close and leaving households without power.
In North Yorkshire, around 40 schools closed, with 10 closures also reported in East Yorkshire. More than 100 schools shut in north east Scotland as snow and icy conditions worsened.
In Wales, National Grid engineers responded to multiple incidents in the west of the country. Pembrokeshire saw 40 school closures, Ceredigion seven, and Carmarthenshire fourteen.
Fourteen year old Ela McLoughlin welcomed the day off in Crymych. She walked up Foel Drygarn with family and their dog Madog and saw people skiing on the slopes.
Alex Parker from Age UK North Yorkshire said he was “really concerned” about vulnerable people’s ability to stay warm, access food and medication, and move safely during the severe weather. He urged communities to check in on elderly neighbours.
In Beverley, 79 year old David Jefferson said snow makes daily life far more difficult. “It is difficult to walk in, especially when you get to my time of life. The sooner it goes the better really,” he told the BBC.
