A blanket of up to 10cm of snow could fall across the south of England on Wednesday, with snow and ice warnings issued across the UK after temperatures plummeted to -5.5C overnight.
Four yellow weather warnings are in place as a cold snap continues to grip the UK, prompting mass school closures and travel disruption.
A yellow snow warning, in place until midnight covers almost the entire south coast and reaches London. On Wednesday morning, the warning was extended to areas in the south west and removed from east Kent.
Yellow warnings for snow and ice are also in place in Northern Ireland and western and northern Scotland until noon on Wednesday. Another warning for ice, also due to be lifted at noon, is in place for northern Wales and northern England.
The cold snap will continue until the end of this week, with amber health alerts from the UK Health Security Agency in place across England until midday on Sunday.
Hundreds of flood alerts and warnings are in place across the country due to rain and melting snow. As of Wednesday morning, the Environment Agency had 91 flood warnings and 178 flood alerts in place across England.
Key Points
- Fresh warnings issued for Wednesday and Thursday
- Weather warnings for Wednesday
- Temperatures low as -5.5C on Tuesday
- Coldest night expected to fall way below sub-zero
In pictures: A frozen lake in Liverpool amid snow and ice warnings
11:34
Alex Croft
What can southern England expect on Wednesday
11:10
Alex Croft
With a snow warning in place for most of the southern English coast, uncertainty remains about how far north the snow will reach.
Here’s what southern England can expect, according to Met Office chief forecaster Jason Kelly: “Weather conditions will start to change from the southwest on Wednesday, with fronts from the Atlantic bringing milder air along with moisture.
“As this moisture encounters the cold air, snowfall is expected particularly over higher ground and away from the coast. However, there is still uncertainty about how far north these fronts will reach. They could either skirt the south or move into southern England”
“Currently, a snow warning is in place, but it is not guaranteed. The situation is being closely monitored. As the forecast is finely balanced, do stay up to date with the latest forecast for your area.”
Fresh batch of weather warnings issued
10:47
Alex Croft
A fresh batch of yellow weather warnings for snow and ice has
been isued across the UK for the next day.
Northern Scotland will be covered from 12pm on Wednesday until 23:59pm on Thursday. the northern part of Northern Ireland will have a warning issued from 4pm today until 11am on Thursday.
Meanwhile, yellow warnings will be issued for western and northern Wales and for Cornwall from 3am until 12pm on Thursday.
There is a risk of travel disruption and dangerous icy patches causing injuries from slips and falls in all the affected areas.
Can and should you walk your dogs in the snow and freezing temperatures?
10:20
Alex Croft
Temperatures are dropping across the UK with snow weather warnings in place.
Meteorologists had warned that temperatures overnight could have plummeted to as low as minus 8C as a week-long spell of wintry conditions hit the UK.
UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) cold weather health alerts for all of England remain in place ahead of a week of low temperatures.
With this news, many will be thinking about how this chilly weather may affect our pets.
It’s important to prepare our dogs, as well as ourselves, for this forecast.
Read the full report:
In pictures: Snow blanket over Aberdeenshire
09:53
Alex Croft
Update to southern snow warning area
09:25
Alex Croft
A small update has been made to the yellow snow warning covering southern England from 9am on Wednesday until midnight.
Parts of east Kent have been removed from the warning area, which has been extended in other areas of the south west.
“Outbreaks of sleet and snow are likely to push in from the southwest during Wednesday, affecting some places especially during the afternoon and evening,” the Met Office said.
“Many places will probably see relatively little or no snow settling, (especially on tarmac), but there could be 1-2 cm locally.”
Weather warnings for Wednesday
09:12
Alex Croft
Four weather warnings for snow and ice are in place on Wednesday, as a cold snap continues to grip the UK.
Yellow warnings for snow and ice covering Northern Ireland and northern and western Scotland will be lifted at 12pm today.
A yellow warning for ice, which was issued at 5pm yesterday and covers northern Wales along with parts of northern England, wil also be lifted at 12pm.
Meanwhile, a yellow warning for snow will cover nearly the entire south coast of England, stetching up towards south London.
Around 2-5cm of snow is expected widely, reaching up to 10cm on higher ground, the forecaster says. The warning will be lifted at 23:59.
Snow mapped: Where freezing weather and flooding will hit UK with more snow forecast
08:49
Alex Croft
A number of weather warnings are in place for parts of the UK on Wednesday, as more snow is forecast to fall across the country and flooding is expected.
The Met Office has issued three yellow weather warnings for snow and ice following a days of wintry conditions across the country weather.
A snow and ice warning has been issued from midday on Tuesday to midday on Wednesday, covering northern Scotland and parts of western Scotland.
Another yellow snow and ice warning has been issued for Northern Ireland from 3pm on Tuesday until noon on Wednesday.
A third yellow warning for snow and ice will come into effect at 5pm on Monday and will last until 10am on Tuesday, covering most of Wales and western England.
Read the full report:
Temperatures low as -5.5C on Tuesday
08:25
Alex Croft
Temperatures reached as low as -5.5C on Tuesday, the Met Office said.
Here’s their forecast for the past 24 hours.
Tuesday was another cold day across the UK, with sunny spells and wintry showers, here is a look back pic.twitter.com/Qtn3cbBdjG
— Met Office (@metoffice) January 7, 2025
RAC say Monday was the busiest day for breakdowns this winter
08:00
Jabed Ahmed
Rod Dennis, RAC spokesperson, said: “Monday was our busiest day for breakdowns this winter so far, with our teams taking more calls from members than at any other point in the last 12 months. With cold conditions persisting, we expect today to be almost as busy with our patrols working incredibly hard to rescue our members and get people moving.
“Anyone unfortunate enough to break down should expect a longer wait than normal this week. It’s therefore more important than ever that drivers ensure they have an emergency breakdown kit in the boot – extra warm clothes including waterproofs, sturdy shoes, some food and drink and a fully charged power bank to keep a mobile phone charged up.
“With hundreds of flood warnings still in force, especially across central and southern parts of the UK, drivers need to remain vigilant. They should never drive through standing water unless they can be totally sure all of it is shallow, which can be impossible on roads that aren’t perfectly flat.
“If in any doubt about the water’s depth, turn around and find another safer route. We also urge everyone to obey road closures which are in place to keep them away from floodwater.”
Mapped: How many flu cases are in my area as hospitals declare critical incidents?
07:00
Jabed Ahmed
Full report: Multiple hospitals declare critical incidents over soaring flu cases as A&E patients face 50 hour waits
06:00
Jabed Ahmed
Flooding around Barrow upon Soar ‘unprecedented’, resident says
05:00
Jabed Ahmed
A woman, who lives near the Proctors Pleasure Park in Leicestershire, called the flooding around Barrow upon Soar “unprecedented”.
The woman, who did not wish to be named, told the PA news agency: “I’ve never seen it as bad as this. It flooded last January but not like this.
“They put in new flood defences – it used to flood all the time then it stopped, but this is unprecedented.
“It’s a flood plain, that’s what it’s for but they build houses on it and nobody will acknowledge it or accept it.”
Frost and ice patches in Northern Ireland to affect morning commute
04:27
Namita Singh
A yellow warning for snow and ice came into effect across Northern Ireland at 3pm yesterday and is expected to remain in place until midday today.
Police have reported that several roads are impassable due to severe weather conditions, with numerous schools closing earlier because of heavy snowfall.
A widespread sharp frost and icy patches are anticipated overnight, potentially making this morning’s commute more challenging.
The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) has advised drivers to exercise caution on icy roads across the region, while some bus services have also been disrupted.
More than 100 flood warnings in force
04:17
Namita Singh
At least 101 flood warnings are in force across England and more rain, sleet and snow are on the way, risking further disruption.
The Environment Agency has urged people to remain vigilant over the coming days as flood warnings are still in place and a mixture of melting snow and saturated catchments could lead to further disruption in parts of England.
Potential for more snow in the south on Wednesday
04:00
Jabed Ahmed
There is the potential for another frontal system to move in from the southwest on Wednesday, bringing further snow and ice. A Yellow Warning is currently in place to cover this.
Met Office Deputy Chief Meteorologist, Mike Silverstone, explained: “There is a chance of a further spell of rain, sleet and snow moving in from the southwest on Wednesday to affect some southern parts of the UK.”
“Whilst not all those in the warning area may be affected, it is possible that that 2-5 cm of snow may accumulate fairly widely. Whether this system will brush the south of the UK or miss us altogether still remains a little uncertain, but we’ll continue to assess this over the next day or two. Weather warnings may well be updated, so it’s important people stay up to date with the forecast.”
Floods minister thanks emergency services as 300 properties flooded
03:46
Namita Singh
At least 300 properties have flooded and 41,000 have been bolstered by flood protections across England since New Year’s Eve, according to estimates by the Environment Agency.
Snowmelt has brought further disruption to parts of England, particularly in the Midlands, following the heavy rainfall over the New Year. It saw significant river and surface water flooding across the North West of England and Yorkshire, the Environment Agency said.
Floods minister Emma Hardy said: “My sympathies go out to the people, businesses and communities impacted by the recent flooding across the country.
“I want to express my heartfelt thanks for the vital work that the Environment Agency and emergency services are doing to keep people safe. People must continue to follow their advice and sign up for flood warnings.”
UK to experience coldest nights of the year
03:19
Namita Singh
The coldest nights of the year are expected this week, with temperatures potentially reaching -14C tonight in the North East of England and Scotland.
The Met Office has forecast a further drop of 2C tomorrow, with temperatures expected to plunge to -16C in places.
Southern England braced for snow as wintry spell continues
03:02
Namita Singh
A fresh weather warning is set to come into force as it is revealed that 300 properties have flooded across England since New Year’s Eve.
The Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning for snow covering southern counties of England from 9am until midnight, which could prove disruptive.
Between two and five centimetres of snow could accumulate fairly widely and as much as 10cm over higher ground, with the warning stretching as far as south London.
Weather warnings issued on Tuesday for snow and ice covering the Midlands, parts of North Wales, the North West of England, west and northern parts of Scotland as well as Northern Ireland remain in place until midday.
Some roads and railways are likely to be affected, and there could be icy patches on untreated roads, the forecaster said.
Environment Agency urge people to remain vigilant over the next few days
02:00
Jabed Ahmed
Stefan Laeger, flood duty manager at the Environment Agency, said: “The recent heavy rain combined with melting snow means it is probable significant river flooding will continue in Leicestershire, with minor river flooding probable in some other parts of the country, continuing through to Thursday for some larger rivers.
“Environment Agency teams continue to be out on the ground, operating flood defences, taking action to reduce the impact of flooding, issuing flood warnings and supporting those communities affected.
“We urge people to remain vigilant over the next few days and advise anyone travelling to be especially careful, and urge people to stay away from swollen rivers and not to drive through floodwater as just 30cm of flowing water is enough to move your car.”
Caravan owner mourns damage as floodwaters rise
Tuesday 7 January 2025 23:59
Jabed Ahmed
Neil Monteith, 49, owns a caravan on the front row of the Proctors Pleasure Park, near Barrow upon Soar in Leicestershire, which was surrounded by flood water on Tuesday morning.
He said he no longer lives in the caravan but has “never seen” the flooding this bad before.
He said: “(The water) is the highest I’ve seen it, I’ve never seen it this bad before.”
Mr Monteith added that he only keeps furniture inside but said that it is “more than likely” damaged.
Ski season is here as snowboarders take to the fresh powder in Northumberland
Tuesday 7 January 2025 23:00
Jabed Ahmed
Flooding has been ‘challenging’, Leicestershire fire chief says
Tuesday 7 January 2025 22:00
Jabed Ahmed
Judi Beresford, Leicestershire’s assistant chief fire and rescue officer, said the demand on the service from flooding across the county has been “challenging”.
She said: “The pressure that we experienced yesterday from about five o’clock in the morning and well into the early hours of this morning was significant.
“It was very challenging but I’m really pleased to say that our crews handled themselves and the situation magnificently.
“The latest information that we have is that the water is still continuing to rise, particularly in relation to the rivers, but we would expect that to start to ease.
“Just because the weather is showing some signs of improvement at the moment, floodwater can still be incredibly dangerous, so I’d still just reinforce our messages to stay out of floodwater, to plan journeys ahead, and if people do need assistance and life is at risk, then please dial 999.”
Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service has responded to 380 calls and attended 56 flooding incidents since Monday morning.
Met Office weather warnings for Tuesday and Wednesday
Tuesday 7 January 2025 21:00
Jabed Ahmed
Full report: Homeowners trapped inside while ‘still recovering’ from flood a year ago
Tuesday 7 January 2025 20:29
Jabed Ahmed
Number of flu hospital admissions 3.6 times higher than last year, Northern Irish health minister says
Tuesday 7 January 2025 20:01
Jabed Ahmed
The number of people admitted to hospital with flu in Northern Ireland this winter is 3.6 times higher than the previous year, Stormont’s Health Minister Mike Nesbitt has said.
Mr Nesbitt told the Health Committee that patients facing long waits in hospital emergency departments were often having to “surrender their dignity and privacy” and said staff were facing “moral injury”.
The minister announced that the flu vaccination programme would be extended to all those over the age of 50.
Officials from the Department of Health said it has been the worst year for flu cases since before the pandemic, but added they believed the number of hospital admissions had peaked.
Mr Nesbitt attended the emergency meeting of his oversight committee amid ongoing concerns about winter pressures on health services in Northern Ireland, particularly the amount of time people are having to wait at emergency departments in hospitals.
Mr Nesbitt began his evidence by paying tribute to health and social care staff who had worked over Christmas.
The minister said he was “looking for levers short term” to deal with hospital pressures, as well as offering a “blank page” for next winter.
Snow mapped: Where freezing weather and flooding will hit UK with more snow forecast
Tuesday 7 January 2025 19:14
Jabed Ahmed
Woman visiting mother in Loughborough ‘trapped’ in home due to flooding
Tuesday 7 January 2025 18:50
Jabed Ahmed
A 25-year-old woman visiting her mother’s home in Belton Road, Loughborough, Leicestershire, for Christmas said she did not expect to become “trapped” after the house was flooded on Tuesday.
Duaa Abdulal remains stuck with her mother and younger sister upstairs while the ground floor of the home is filled with water.
She said the house was destroyed by flooding from Storm Henk in January last year and the family have not finished refurbishing since then.
Ms Abdulal said: “We’re stuck upstairs. Last year my family managed to leave the building.
“Thankfully, today we managed to get everything upstairs when we got the flood warning.
“We’re still recovering from last year, actually, we haven’t finished refurbishing the house, so it’s stressful.”
Pictured: A snow-covered Manchester Airport
Tuesday 7 January 2025 18:21
Jabed Ahmed
Man whose housee was damaged by Storm Henk last year has home flooded again
Tuesday 7 January 2025 18:16
Jabed Ahmed
A man, who did not wish to be named, found his home flooded on Tuesday in Belton Road, Loughborough, Leicestershire, from rising water in the nearby Grand Union Canal.
He said he has been living in alternative accommodation for a year since Storm Henk damaged his property last January and was just about to move back in before the flooding started again on Monday.
The homeowner told the PA News Agency, as he stood on the road near his house: “They had almost got everything ready to move back in – all new downstairs. Now, all the new stuff, the new items, have got to be repaired and replaced again.
“They will potentially tell us it’s all got to be scrapped.
“Last year everything downstairs – the carpets, flooring, furniture – all were damaged.
“In the space of a year, it’s just unbelievable that it’s happened again.
“I can’t comprehend this all, you never think it’s going to happen in this area.
“It’s the Grand Union canal – it seems like there’s a weak point that just sort of overflows and just all comes cascading down this way.”
RAC say Monday was the busiest day for breakdowns this winter
Tuesday 7 January 2025 17:47
Jabed Ahmed
Rod Dennis, RAC spokesperson, said: “Monday was our busiest day for breakdowns this winter so far, with our teams taking more calls from members than at any other point in the last 12 months. With cold conditions persisting, we expect today to be almost as busy with our patrols working incredibly hard to rescue our members and get people moving.
“Anyone unfortunate enough to break down should expect a longer wait than normal this week. It’s therefore more important than ever that drivers ensure they have an emergency breakdown kit in the boot – extra warm clothes including waterproofs, sturdy shoes, some food and drink and a fully charged power bank to keep a mobile phone charged up.
“With hundreds of flood warnings still in force, especially across central and southern parts of the UK, drivers need to remain vigilant. They should never drive through standing water unless they can be totally sure all of it is shallow, which can be impossible on roads that aren’t perfectly flat.
“If in any doubt about the water’s depth, turn around and find another safer route. We also urge everyone to obey road closures which are in place to keep them away from floodwater.”
People in Ireland warned of ‘invisible hazards’ amid Orange-level low temperature alerts
Tuesday 7 January 2025 17:14
Jabed Ahmed
People in Ireland are being urged to keep their guard up ahead of a Status Orange low temperature warning issued for most counties on Tuesday and Wednesday night.
Snow and sub-zero conditions have already caused hazardous driving conditions and cut power and water to thousands of homes, with crews from various agencies working to help stranded communities.
The worst-hit counties are Tipperary, Limerick, Cork and Kerry, where authorities have deployed additional supports to clear snow before sub-zero temperatures hit again.
An Orange alert is in place for most counties from 8pm on Tuesday until 10am on Wednesday, with severe frost, ice and snow forecast.
Another Orange low temperature warning is in place from 6pm on Wednesday until 11am on Thursday for 25 counties.
Separately, a Status Yellow low temperature warning remains in place for all counties until 6am on Friday.
Irish premier Simon Harris warned people to be aware of the “invisible hazards” as temperatures fall to as low as minus eight degrees overnight.
Mapped: How many flu cases are in my area as hospitals declare critical incidents?
Tuesday 7 January 2025 16:44
Jabed Ahmed
ICYMI: Ambulance service declares critical incident for first time ever
Tuesday 7 January 2025 16:14
Jabed Ahmed
A critical incident has been declared by East Midlands Ambulance (EMAS ) for the first time ever, after a combination of significant patient demand, pressure within local hospitals, and flooding across the East Midlands.
Declaring a critical incident means:
- Rapid release of ambulances from hospital departments. We appreciate this will be challenging for hospital colleagues however, we need to ensure we have emergency ambulances available to respond to people waiting in the community where life is at threat.
- From the morning, local NHS Clinical Hubs to take Category 3 calls (see additional notes) from EMAS and provide support and/or a local alternative NHS pathway for these patient. This allows EMAS to focus on responding to Category 1 (life-threatening) and Category 2 (serious) calls.
- All Category 3 calls (see additional information below) from NHS 111 receive a clinical validation from DHU Healthcare (the provider of 111 services) before it is sent for an ambulance.
London Ambulance Service issues advice as snow set to hit capital
Tuesday 7 January 2025 15:41
Sam Rkaina
More snow on its way with weather warnings in place for London on Wednesday ❄️
— London Ambulance Service (@Ldn_Ambulance) January 7, 2025
A reminder to take extra care if you're travelling. Follow @NHSuk and see our pinned post for tips on staying well during this cold weather https://t.co/a11eB1hHH8
Full report: Four major hospitals declare critical incidents over soaring flu cases as A&E patients face 50 hour waits
Tuesday 7 January 2025 15:14
Jabed Ahmed
My colleagues Rachel Clun and Alexander Butler report:
Mapped: Severe flood warning in Leicestershire
Tuesday 7 January 2025 14:49
Jabed Ahmed
Flooding around Barrow upon Soar ‘unprecedented’, resident says
Tuesday 7 January 2025 14:31
Jabed Ahmed
A woman, who lives near the Proctors Pleasure Park in Leicestershire, called the flooding around Barrow upon Soar “unprecedented”.
The woman, who did not wish to be named, told the PA news agency: “I’ve never seen it as bad as this. It flooded last January but not like this.
“They put in new flood defences – it used to flood all the time then it stopped, but this is unprecedented.
“It’s a flood plain, that’s what it’s for but they build houses on it and nobody will acknowledge it or accept it.”
Pictured: Homes in flood water after the Grand Union Canal burst its banks in Loughborough
Tuesday 7 January 2025 14:09
Jabed Ahmed
Met Office weather warnings for Tuesday and Wednesday
Tuesday 7 January 2025 13:47
Jabed Ahmed
Flooding has been ‘challenging’, Leicestershire fire chief says
Tuesday 7 January 2025 13:25
Jabed Ahmed
Judi Beresford, Leicestershire’s assistant chief fire and rescue officer, said the demand on the service from flooding across the county has been “challenging”.
She said: “The pressure that we experienced yesterday from about five o’clock in the morning and well into the early hours of this morning was significant.
“It was very challenging but I’m really pleased to say that our crews handled themselves and the situation magnificently.
“The latest information that we have is that the water is still continuing to rise, particularly in relation to the rivers, but we would expect that to start to ease.
“Just because the weather is showing some signs of improvement at the moment, floodwater can still be incredibly dangerous, so I’d still just reinforce our messages to stay out of floodwater, to plan journeys ahead, and if people do need assistance and life is at risk, then please dial 999.”
Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service has responded to 380 calls and attended 56 flooding incidents since Monday morning.
Ski season is here as snowboarders take to the fresh powder in Northumberland
Tuesday 7 January 2025 13:05
Barney Davis
Skiers and snowboarders were pictured taking to the slopes at Allenheads ski club in Northumberland after heavy snow fall.
Weather warnings for snow and ice are in force across much of the UK after severe flooding and snow caused travel disruption and school closures. But for some it was a rare opportunity to hit up the fresh powder.
Caravan owner mourns damage as floodwaters rise
Tuesday 7 January 2025 12:55
Barney Davis
Neil Monteith, 49, owns a caravan on the front row of the Proctors Pleasure Park, near Barrow upon Soar in Leicestershire, which was surrounded by flood water on Tuesday morning.
He said he no longer lives in the caravan but has “never seen” the flooding this bad before.
He said: “(The water) is the highest I’ve seen it, I’ve never seen it this bad before.”
Mr Monteith added that he only keeps furniture inside but said that it is “more than likely” damaged.
Coldest night expected to fall way below sub-zero
Tuesday 7 January 2025 12:45
Barney Davis
BBC Weather Watchers said they were expecting temperatures to plunge to between -16 to -20 C on Thursday night.
The last time the UK recorded a temperature that low was on 11 Feb 2021, when the temperature at Braemar in Aberdeenshire fell to -23 C.
Potential for more snow in the south on Wednesday
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