Britain is set to be battered by 10 inches of snow today with the Met Office issuing multiple alerts as flooding strikes parts of the UK - you can see the live tracker here.
The forecast shows parts of England and Wales today being struck by the heavy wintry showers, which could see travel disruption as well as power outages and communities being cut off. And while amber weather warnings for snow have been issued for parts of northern England and north Wales, flood alerts have been issued for parts of the south of England - including Cornwall and Kent - and southern Wales, including Bridgend and the Vale of Glamorgan.
The amber snow warning across the Peak District and south Pennines is in place from noon until 6pm on Thursday, with up to 25cm of snow forecast across high ground above 300 metres. A separate amber warning for snow and ice will be in place between 8am and 3pm on Thursday across north Wales and north-west Shropshire, with 20-25cm of snow forecast in areas above 200 metres.
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The Met Office has released an updated forecast for tonight and tomorrow.
The update reads: "Tonight, rain and snow continue to track northwards into Scotland overnight but intensities decrease. A widespread frost expected away from coasts in the north but more rain moves in further south.
"Tomorrow, wintry showers continue in the far north. Band of rain and hill snow across central areas move northwards through the day. Cloudy in the south with some showers, locally heavy."
The image below shows people helping to rescue a sliding car in the snow in Buxton, Derbyshire.
The Met Office issued two amber warnings for snow and ice, coinciding with rain and sleet, as cold air streams in from the Arctic into northern parts of the UK.
Drivers have been warned of further flooding today (BristolLive/BPM)Minor accidents have been reported in north Wales, with authorities urging drivers "take extra care" as they head out today.
In a tweet, North Wales Police said: "We're receiving several reports of (thankfully) minor road traffic collisions & road distruptions, in particular in rural areas of Denbighshire, Flintshire & Wrexham. Officers are committed with those so please take extra care if you're travelling this afternoon."
We're receiving several reports of (thankfully) minor road traffic collisions & road distruptions, in particular in rural areas of Denbighshire, Flintshire & Wrexham. Officers are committed with those so please take extra care if you're travelling this afternoon.
— North Wales Police (@NWPolice) February 8, 2024
(thread ) pic.twitter.com/GBga6k4nl7
Brits are being warned of “major disruption” to train services running between Paddington, Greenford, Heathrow and Reading following a closure of lines earlier today
Weather maps forecast 750-mile blizzard dropping three inches of snow next week
Affected services may be cancelled or delayed by up to 100 minutes owing to the closure, National Rail has warned. Disruption is expected until the end of the day while the service recovers.
The whole of the south of England and southern Wales have been placed under a yellow weather warning for rain - and with the heavy rainfall comes the risk of flooding.
The Met Office has issued a guide of what to do if your home is within a flood alert area:
Drivers have been warned of further flooding today (BristolLive/BPM)The Met Office says: "A couple of bands of rain, heavy in places, will push northwards across southern England and south Wales during Thursday and early on Friday.
"Whilst a drier interlude is likely for a time during the middle part of Thursday, many places in the warning area will see 15-25 mm of rain accumulate during this period. However, some higher ground areas of southern England and south Wales could see as much as 35-45 mm of rain."
If you work from home or spend a lot of time at your computer, you'll know how horrible the cold weather can be on your hands - especially if you don't want to waste money having the heating on all day.
You can't stuff your hands in your pockets because you need them to type, and using a mouse with gloves on just feels wrong, so you end up feeling as though your fingers are going to fall off no matter how warm the rest of your body might be.
However, one woman on social media might just have come up with the perfect solution to keep cold hands at bay this winter. And what's more, it won't cost you a penny as the only thing you need is a woolly hat, which most of us already own.
Read more: Woman's cold hands hack means you don't have to freeze at home
Flintshire cabinet member for education, Mared Eastwood, has apologised for the disruption caused by the school closures.
Speaking to BBC Radio Wales, Ms Eastwood said: “We recognise the childcare difficulties that do arise for parents but we were trying to minimise the disruption – an amber warning is significant because it does recommend essential journeys only.
“It’s not just the weather in your particular school that needs to be taken into account. The amber warning is expected to be lifted for tomorrow and it is expected that the schools will be open.”
Parents have been left furious after a council shut all its schools due to an amber weather warning - but not a single flake fell.
Eighty-eight schools have been shut by Flintshire county council as an amber snow and ice warning squats over the part of north Wales. Beginning at 8am this morning, it is in place to last until 3pm this afternoon and threatened to bring as much as 25cm of snow in places.
parents were left fuming after clearing their schedules. Flintshire weren’t the only council to make the move, with Powys council shutting seven schools.
Read more: Parents fury as councils shut schools over snow warning - but not a single drop falls
RAC breakdown spokesman Rod Dennis said: “The vast majority of drivers are heavily reliant on their cars, something that’s exacerbated when the weather turns icy or snowy, especially if public transport is impacted and drivers have no choice but to use their cars for trips they consider essential.
“Doing so can carry huge risks however, and it’s vitally important drivers follow guidance from the Met Office and others accordingly whenever there is a warning for severe weather issued – especially if it is an amber or even rare red warning. Waiting until conditions improve might well be the safest and best course of action.
“If a driver has made the decision that it is safe to set out in snow and ice, it’s important drivers always check their cars and adjust their driving styles to cope with whatever wintry conditions are thrown at them. A car’s braking distance can increase by up to 10 times when there’s snow and ice on a road, meaning it’s vital to check all tyres have plenty of tread and slow down considerably to reduce the chances of a collision.”
Snow covered cars in Buxton, Peak District (PA)New research shows nearly two out of five (39%) motorists would still get behind the wheel regardless of the amount of snow on the roads.
The survey, commissioned by the RAC, also showed that driving during extreme weather “can carry huge risks”. Some 29% of respondents in the poll of 2,300 drivers admitted scaring themselves after losing control of their vehicle in snow.
And just over half of those surveyed - 51% - said their local authority is “very good” or “good” at spreading salt on roads ahead of icy nights, while 36% rated it “fair” and 12% labelled it “poor”.
The RAC is advising motorists to check their vehicles and adjust their driving style during the current cold snap, and not take any risks that put themselves and their passengers in danger.
The wet and wintry weather has brought flooding to parts of the UK, as some areas experience heavy rainfall amid blasts of snow.
In England there are two flood warnings in place in the upper River Hull catchment and for River Lambourn from Upper Lambourn to Great Shefford. Meanwhile there are 74 flood alerts also in place, covering Warwickshire, Somerset and Kent to name a few.
In Wales there are 7 flood alerts in place, covering South Pembrokeshire, Powys and Llanelli.
A live map shows the areas across the UK where snow is falling right now - as Brits have been warned "wintry hazards" could make for challenging conditions in some parts of the country.
Weather warnings issued by the Met Office say disruptions are set to last until Saturday, February 10, with some areas expected to see much as 10 inches of snow, according to forecasts. Yesterday afternoon, snow already began to fall in parts of Scotland and the far north of England - but a number of cities are on alert today for further snowfall and icy roads. These include Manchester, Newcastle, Glasgow, Leeds and Liverpool.
Read more: Live snow storm tracker map show's exactly where it's falling across the UK right now
The Met Office has tweeted an overview map of this afternoon's weather.
The weather agency said: "A band of rain, sleet and snow continues to slowly push northwards this afternoon, with a second band of rain sweeping in later. Ahead of this, some sunny spells and a few wintry showers over the Northern Isles."
A band of rain, sleet and snow continues to slowly push northwards this afternoon, with a second band of rain sweeping in later âï¸ââ ï¸
— Met Office (@metoffice) February 8, 2024
Ahead of this, some sunny spells and a few wintry showers over the Northern Isles â
Stay #WeatherAware pic.twitter.com/s9M0KrZGua
Orkney has recorded 5 inches of snow this morning. It comes as all four nations of the UK experience weather warnings for rain, ice and snow.
Met Office forecaster Oli Claydon said: “The worst of the snow will be later on today. Through this morning and this afternoon you’re more likely to see accumulations. The snow risk tomorrow is moving much further north, and it will be a bit of a drier day.”
AA spokesperson Chris Wood said: “If you need to travel, reduce your speed to account for the conditions and leave plenty of space behind other vehicles, and try to use main roads where possible as these are more likely to have been gritted.
“Allow extra time as it’s likely your journey will take longer than usual, and ensure you have plenty of fuel or electrical charge if driving an electric vehicle. The cold snap is likely to affect vehicle breakdown levels, with faults such as flat batteries and wiper faults.”
The owner of the Opera House in Buxton, Derbyshire is pictured clearing the snow from the entrance (Jordan Crosby)The UK Health and Security Agency (UKHSA) has issued a number of yellow cold health alerts across the UK.
They are currently in place for the East Midlands, West Midlands, the North East, the North West and Yorkshire and The Humber.
The health alert came into effect yesterday at 6am and will remain in force unti 8pm on Friday.
UKHSA mapA number of schools have shut in different parts of the UK.
Currently, around 72 primary schools, 11 secondary schools and two special schools will remain shut in Flintshire, Wales.
In England, Bradford Council has reported eight school closures.
The Peak District has seen some of the worst of the snow this morning, with 35 gritters deployed to tackle snow settling on roads in the area.
Derbyshire council says it is "ready to work around the clock from six depots" around the county and the authority has a "stockpile of 18,000 tonnes of salt". A team of farmers and other contractors are also on standby to help the fleet clear roads.
With some snow settling on the higher routes in the Peak District our gritter drivers are out keeping an eye on things, and gritting where needed. pic.twitter.com/ciubapdgAd
— Derbyshire CC (@Derbyshirecc) February 8, 2024
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has activated a cold health alert for the Midlands and North of England.
It warned of the impacts on health and social care until 8pm this evening.
A yellow weather warning for snow and ice will be in place for northern Scotland - which comes into force from 3pm tomorrow and will remain in place until 6pm on Saturday.
The Met Office says of Saturday's warning: "Accumulations will vary from place to place, but some areas are expected to see 1-3 cm of snow through this period, and perhaps as much as 10-20 cm in some locations on higher ground (above about 300 metres). Ice will be an additional hazard.
"During Saturday, milder conditions will follow from the south with sleet and snow turning to rain."
Met Office Weather Sat 10thMet Office spokesperson Stephen Dixon said: “It’s vital people take precautions to stay safe in severe weather.
“Our weather warnings highlight when people could be impacted by the weather and there are a number of things people can do to minimise disruption, including checking travel plans, ensuring vehicles are safe as well as making sure your house is prepared for severe weather.
“Winter weather hazards like snow and ice can be particularly impactful on travel conditions, so it’s always best to check the travel advice in your area before setting off on journeys when severe weather is in the forecast.”
Snow is starting to fall across the UK - and you can now track it with a live map.
Weather warnings have been handed down by the Met Office across the nation for the next four days, with as much as 10 inches of snow forecast in some areas.
Have a look below at the latest live weather radar data for the UK:
The chilly blast gripping the UK will continue well into the weekend.
On Friday, five yellow weather warnings for snow and ice will be in force. Two of these will be in Scotland while another warning will cover northern England and the Midlands.
Northern Ireland will also be under a yellow weather warning for snow and ice and in southern England and a section of Wales there are yellow weather warnings for rain.
Met Office Weather Fri 9th (Met Office)Snow has hit Leeds, ahead of the second amber weather warning coming into play at midday.
With the first weather warning already in place, the second will cover areas over the Peak District, and south Pennines.
This includes touching on the fringes of Leeds, as snow has already hit the city.
Snow in the Peak District today ahead of the amber weather warning kicking in at midday (PA)The Met Office has warned that today's snow could turn to "freezing rain" at times.
The first amber warning, for snow and ice across north Wales and northwest Shropshire, kicked in at 8am this morning, and will last until 3pm.
Then, a second amber warning for snow, accross the Peak District and south Pennines will begin at midday, lasting until 6pm.
But the Met Office has warned that over the parts of north Wales, due to milder air arriving from the south, some snow could turn into freezing rain. Forecasters warned: "Snow is expected to develop during Thursday morning and become persistent and at times heavy before slowly easing later in the day. As milder air begins to arrive from the south, there is a chance that snow could turn to freezing rain across some higher routes above 200 metres."
People out enjoying the snow in Pavilion Gardens, Buxton, Peak District, today (PA)As reported earlier, all schools across Flintshire in North Wales have been closed.
But more school closures have since been confirmed across England and Wales.
The BBC reports:
You can check the status of school closures in your area on your local county council website.
The Met Office has extended a yellow snow warning into Central, Tayside and Fife, as well as Dumfries, Galloway, Lothian & Borders in Scotland.
It will be in place between midday today and 3pm tomorrow.
The warning says: "Some travel disruption from snow and ice is possible Thursday afternoon and overnight into Friday."
Earlier, the weather agency updated a snow and ice warning across Northern Ireland.
Yellow weather warning UPDATED
— Met Office (@metoffice) February 8, 2024
Snow and ice across Northern Ireland
Thursday 0900 â Friday 0600 Latest info https://t.co/QwDLMfRBfs
Stay #WeatherAware pic.twitter.com/jvIDaw79oQ
