UK climate: Vacationers warned of icy roads and journey disruption

Commuters are being warned of icy roads and journey disruption as temperatures plunged once more in a single day throughout the UK.

Fresh climate warnings have been issued for southern England, Wales, Northern Ireland and northern Scotland on Thursday, with snow, ice and fog predicted.

Elsewhere will probably be primarily dry with wintry sunshine, however temperatures might drop again to -16C on Thursday night time.

The chilly wave has already triggered heavy snowfall in some areas, and dozens of flood alerts and warnings are in place because of heavy rain or melting snow.

The lowest temperature recorded in Shape, Cumbria on Wednesday was -8.4C (16F), based on the Met Office.

It comes as well being warnings stay in place throughout England because of darkish chilly till Sunday, that means the expected climate is predicted to have a big influence on well being – together with a rise in deaths.

The Met Office says there’s a chance of journey disruption to highway and rail companies within the warning areas on Thursday, in addition to the potential for accidents in icy situations.

Five warnings exist:

• A yellow warning for snow and ice is in place for northern Scotland till midnight Thursday
• A yellow warning for snow has been issued for southern England and south-east Wales till 10:30pm
• Two yellow warnings for snow and ice are in place till 11:00 GMT – one for western Wales and north-west England, and one for south-west England; and one other for Northern Ireland
• Yellow warning for fog in Northern Ireland till 09:00

Some roads in Devon and Cornwall have been closed because of snowfall on Wednesday and motorists have been pressured to face nonetheless for “long periods”, based on officers there.

Gritters engaged on Thursday mornings have been fitted with plows to clear routes within the space.

Car insurer RAC stated it had seen the very best stage of rescue demand over a three-day interval since December 2022.

RAC Breakdown spokeswoman Alice Simpson stated: “The cold conditions will persist until at least the weekend, so we urge drivers to remain alert to the dangers posed by ice and snow in some places.

National Rail has also advised passengers to check before travelling, as snow and ice could mean speed restrictions and line closures.

Bad weather was affecting the Northern and Great Western Railways on Wednesday evening.

As of Monday, buses are replacing trains between Llandudno Junction and Blaenau Ffestiniog.

Wintry conditions have caused significant disruption across the UK after snow fell in many parts of the country over the weekend.

Hundreds of schools were closed in England, Scotland and Northern Ireland, including those in Yorkshire, Merseyside, the Midlands and Aberdeenshire.

The country has also been affected by widespread flooding in recent times. There are currently 68 flood warnings in place in England – meaning flooding is likely to occur – and three in Wales.

The climate is predicted to be much less chilly over the weekend.