Janice R. Andrews
Snow and icy weather across the UK have caused significant disruptions, with schools closing and travel severely affected.
Heavy snowfall blanketed parts of Scotland, Wales, and south-west England on Thursday morning as the cold snap persisted. The Met Office issued yellow weather warnings for snow and ice, with alerts in place for northern and western Scotland until midday and south-west England until 3 PM GMT.
More than 60 schools in the Highlands and 30 in north Wales were closed, while around 100 schools in Devon and Cornwall faced closures, partial closures, or delayed openings due to the hazardous conditions.
Travel has been severely impacted. Devon and Cornwall Police reported multiple road accidents caused by icy conditions and urged drivers to check forecasts before setting off. The AA advised motorists to drive with “extreme caution” and anticipated a sharp rise in breakdown assistance calls.
Train services in south-west England were also disrupted, with several cancellations following the heavy snowfall.
Snow began falling early Thursday over Dartmoor and Exmoor, initially affecting higher elevations before spreading to lower areas. By mid-morning, snow was reported in regions such as the New Forest and South Downs. While the snow is expected to clear from southern England later on Thursday, northern Scotland will continue to experience heavy snowfall into Friday.
Wintry showers are also forecasted to move into north Wales and north-west England later on Thursday and overnight.
Plummeting Temperatures
Wednesday night saw temperatures drop to -10°C in Tyndrum, Scotland, marking the coldest night of the autumn in the UK. In England, temperatures fell to -8.7°C in Topcliffe, North Yorkshire, while Northern Ireland recorded -3.9°C at Katesbridge.
Another sharp drop in temperatures is expected Thursday night, with widespread frost and icy patches forming on untreated surfaces.
School and Travel Disruptions Worsen
On Wednesday, icy weather led to the closure of nearly 100 schools and nurseries in Scotland, around 50 in Wales, and at least 30 in England. The RAC reported a surge in breakdowns, primarily due to battery failures caused by the cold conditions.
Authorities are advising residents to stay cautious, monitor weather updates, and prepare for further disruptions as the cold snap continues.
