Met office issues severe weather warnings as UK faces snow, Ice, and flooding

The Met Office has warned that up to 10cm of snow could blanket large parts of the UK today, with icy conditions expected to persist throughout the week.

Yellow weather alerts for snow and ice are in effect across northern and western Scotland and Northern Ireland until midday Wednesday. Similar warnings cover parts of the Midlands and major northern cities, including Manchester, Leeds, and Sheffield. Southern regions are also under alert, with “disruptive” snow forecast from 9 a.m. today until midnight.

Temperatures are predicted to plummet, with northern England bracing for lows of -14°C overnight and a further drop to -16°C by Thursday evening. Meanwhile, rain and sleet are expected to exacerbate the wintry conditions, creating hazardous travel conditions.

The cold snap follows widespread flooding across parts of the UK. Proctor’s Pleasure Park near Barrow upon Soar, Leicestershire, experienced severe flooding, prompting a “critical incident” declaration by East Midlands Ambulance Service on Tuesday. This is the first time such a measure has been taken, with flooding cited as a major factor.

In Lincolnshire, authorities declared a “major incident” earlier this week amid fears of further flooding. The Environment Agency has issued a severe “danger to life” warning for areas along the River Soar, with caravan parks near Barrow upon Soar particularly at risk.

Rescue operations are underway, including efforts by firefighters in Leicestershire who saved 59 individuals from floodwaters. Tragically, the body of a man was recovered from flooded areas in North Yorkshire. Police confirmed his identity but are still working to notify his next of kin.

The extreme weather has also caused significant travel disruption. On Monday and Tuesday, major roads were closed, railway lines were blocked, and four airports Bristol, Liverpool John Lennon, Manchester, and Aberdeen temporarily shut their runways as crews battled to clear snow and ice.

The nation now faces a challenging clean-up operation, with the wintry conditions expected to persist through the week. Authorities are urging caution and preparedness as the severe weather continues to impact daily life.