UK weather forecast LIVE – Snow to hit London, Leeds and Essex TODAY – latest on times, locations and traffic chaos
January 15, 2021SNOW will hit London, Leeds and parts of Essex today as a mid-January icy blast sweeps the UK.
With much of the country having already experienced snow falls this week, the white stuff now appears to be moving south into the capital and surrounding towns and counties.
Meanwhile, back in the north, Leeds is also likely to get a dusting today too as the Met Office added a yellow weather warning for ice in the city.
Follow our weather live blog below for more information as well as all the latest news and updates from around the country
- Alice Peacock
'BEAST FROM THE EAST' COULD HIT UK NEXT WEEK
Forecasters are warning that there is "very much a possibility" of a Beast from the East 2 in the middle of next week.
The first Beast from the East, in February 2018, happened when a sudden stratospheric warming event sent freezing winds from Siberia.
The Met Office meteorologist Alex Burkill told the Guardian it was possible temperatures could plunge further next week.
For such weather to occur, Burkill said there would need to be a "blocking area of high pressure" particularly to the north of the UK.
"That would then drag in that cold easterly wind," he said.
- Alice Peacock
CHILLY TEMPERATURES HERE TO STAY
Temperatures in the Greater London area are expected to drop to 1C on Friday and parts of the South East could fall to an icy -2C.
Temperatures of as low as -8C were recorded in the Richmondshire district, in North Yorkshire, on Friday morning.
- Alice Peacock
FLOOD WATCH FOR UK
While the iciness of the morning may have worn off, nearly 200 areas of the country remain on flood watch.
The Environment Agency has issued 126 flood alerts for England and another 27 flood more serious warnings.
The rain had petered off over many parts of the country, but Matt Taylor told BBC Breakfast that another weather system would make its way across the UK tonight.
"It will bring more rain across Northern Ireland and western parts of Scotland, Wales and western England," he said.
- Alice Peacock
DRIVERS WARNED OF FOG
Motorists are being warned of difficult driving conditions this morning, with icy roads and patches of fog.
The Met Office warned drivers to "take extra care" and adjust their travel plans if need be.
- Alex Winter
MAKING THE MOST OF THE SNOW
Builders give snowman a lift on the back of their van in Leeds. Image: Ben Lack Two dogs dress for the occasion in West Yorkshire - Alex Winter
ICY START FOR MILLIONS ACROSS THE COUNTRY
Good morning – there are, of course, more weather warnings in place for today and tomorrow.
Millions of Brits living across huge swathes of the country have been told to watch out for ice until 10am – so take care this morning.
- Niamh Cavanagh
WEATHER STATS FOR THURSDAY
Stats from the Met Office showed that the harshest weather was felt in the north in the last 24 hours.
- Niamh Cavanagh
WEATHER WARNING TOMORROW
A yellow weather warning has been issued for ice across the UK for tomorrow.
- Niamh Cavanagh
PICTURED
Two snow ploughs was pictured clearing the roads earlier today in Shelley, Huddersfield
Credit: Traci Habergham/News Images Credit: Traci Habergham/News Images
- Dan Keane
EXTREME WEATHER AFFECTS JAB ROLLOUT
Bad weather has affected the coronavirus vaccinations rollout in Yorkshire, with a centre in Barnsley closed as patients were told to await new appointments.
Covid testing centres in Kirklees and Bradford also suspended operations.
- Niamh Cavanagh
YELLOW WEATHER WARNINGS
- Niamh Cavanagh
WEEKEND AHEAD
- Niamh Cavanagh
CONTINUED
Medics have battled to reach patients as a sudden snowstorm battered the region today, forcing road closures and hazardous driving conditions.
Mr Millins added: "Our dedicated staff are working extremely hard to reach patients as quickly and safely as possible but, understandably, the hazardous driving conditions and blocked roads mean that it is taking us longer than normal in the worst-hit areas.
"If someone is seriously ill or injured and their life is at risk, they should call 999 immediately.
"For anyone with less serious illnesses and injuries, our NHS 111 service is available online at 111.nhs.uk or by calling 111.
"Please take extra care when out driving or walking and, where possible, avoid travelling at all in snowy or icy conditions.
"If you do have to go out, ensure that you wear appropriate footwear and warm clothing.
"Also, please stay in touch with elderly and vulnerable relatives and neighbours to ensure they are safe and well."
- Niamh Cavanagh
AMBULANCE DECLARES MAJOR INCIDENT AFTER HEAVY SNOW
An ambulance service has declared a major incident after heavy snow and a surge of 999 calls left ambulances overwhelmed.
The Yorkshire Ambulance Service said only patients with serious or life-threatening emergency are asked to call 999 to help alleviate the pressure.
The Trust said it made the decision as the extreme weather conditions caused treacherous road conditions meaning medics struggled to get to patients.
Mark Millins, strategic commander, said: "Due to the very snowy conditions across West, South and North Yorkshire, driving conditions are very difficult and many roads are gridlocked so this is having a severe impact on our operations.
"We are implementing a number of actions in order to protect our core services for patients and respond to the ongoing demand, including increasing our 4×4 capacity.
"We are asking members of the public to only call us in a serious or life-threatening emergency to help us focus our efforts on our most poorly patients."
- Niamh Cavanagh
ICY TEMPERATURES TONIGHT
- Niamh Cavanagh
PICTURED
People sledge down a hillside at Butterley Reservoir in Marsden in northern England.
Credit: AFP or licensors Credit: AFP or licensors - Niamh Cavanagh
MET OFFICE WEEKEND WEATHER FORECAST
- Niamh Cavanagh
WHAT TO EXPECT TOMORROW NIGHT?
A dry evening with clear spells and variable amounts of cloud.
Patches of mist and fog will form, largely in the east.
Overnight, thick cloud will build in from the west with outbreaks of rain spreading eastwards.
Rain will be heavy across northern and western areas.
Mostly dry in the south-east.
- Niamh Cavanagh
PICTURED
A car passes through a flood along Hamilton Road in Leicester.
Credit: PA:Press Association Credit: PA:Press Association Credit: PA:Press Association - Niamh Cavanagh
TOMORROW'S FORECAST
It will be a dry but generally dull day with early patches of mist and fog which will linger for much of the day.
There will be variable amounts of cloud which will break to reveal sunny spells.
Dry for most in the evening too however thick cloud will build into western areas bringing drizzle.
- Katie Davis
YELLOW WEATHER WARNING
- Katie Davis
AFFECTED REGIONS – ICE WARNING
The Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning for ice tonight for the following areas:
- Central, Tayside & Fife
- East Midlands
- East of England
- Grampian
- Highlands & Eilean Siar
- London & South East England
- North East England
- North West England
- Orkney & Shetland
- SW Scotland, Lothian Borders
- South West England
- Strathclyde
- Wales
- West Midlands
- Yorkshire & Humber
ICY CONDITIONS COMING
As rain, sleet and snow showers die out tonight, ice is likely to form on some untreated surfaces, with difficult conditions on some roads and pavements by tomorrow morning.
The Met Office has warned of possible unjuries from flips and falls on icy surfaces.
Drivers should be alert for icy patches on some untreated roads, pavements and cycle paths
THREE DAY WEATHER WARNING
The Met Office has issued a three day yellow weather for ice.
With rain, sleet and snow dying out, it leaves a risk of icy surfaces and difficult travel conditions for most of the country.
On Saturday, a band of heavy snow may lead to travel disruption.
EARTH'S WARMEST TEN YEAR PERIOD
Source: Read Full Article
