Blizzards are set to trigger “treacherous conditions” within the UK – with winds of as much as 50mph and as much as 40cm of snow anticipated in some areas.
The Met Office has issued three amber warnings for northern England, the Midlands, North Wales and Northern Ireland, the place “significant disruption” to move and energy provides are anticipated as Storm Larisa continues to batter the nation.
Three yellow climate warnings for snow and ice have been issued for a number of areas of the UK till 10am – together with elements of the Midlands, southeast and southwest England and South Wales.
Motorists caught for hours as snow and excessive winds carry motorways to a standstill – UK climate updates
The Met Office has warned that two to 4 centimetres of snow is probably going in elements of Wales and on increased floor such because the Cotswolds.
The M62 in Lancashire has already been badly affected with motorists caught for hours, with jack-knifed lorries blocking the elements of the motorway.
Icy surfaces are additionally prone to develop, it warns, and areas of “mainly light” snow and ice may trigger disruption to journey.
The chilly spell has already prompted journey disruption and snow closures, with some faculties confirming they are going to be shut on Friday because of the Arctic situations.
Further disruption is predicted throughout Ireland on Friday as extreme snowfall and ice proceed to hamper commuters of their travels – with lots of of individuals in Cork and dozens in Northern Ireland additionally left with out energy on Thursday night time.
‘Atrocious journey situations’
On Thursday night, the Met Office warned that heavy snow and powerful winds may trigger blizzards and “atrocious travel conditions” in some areas of the UK.
It mentioned 10 to 20cm of snow may fall in elements of northern England and Wales coated by an amber warning tonight and tomorrow morning, whereas Northern Ireland may see 4 to eight centimetres.
Meteorologist Alex Deakin mentioned rural communities may get reduce off and important disruption is probably going in amber warning areas.
Friday will start with widespread snow and rain within the early hours, overlaying central England and Wales, however the climate is about to clear because the day progresses.
Scattered snow showers will stay in Scotland alongside gentle rain in South East England.
‘Gusts of 50mph’ and ‘treacherous situations’
Another Met Office meteorologist, Alex Burkill, mentioned {that a} pocket of western Scotland overlaying Glasgow and the county of Argyll may very well be the one area untouched by heavy rain and snow over the subsequent day or so.
He warned that the worst of the climate is predicted in northwest Wales and northern England, the place “gusts of easily 50mph” are on a collision course with “30 to 40cm of snow”.
Mr Burkill continued: “The combination of heavy snow and gales is why we’re likely to see blizzards and drifting snow which causes extra hazards on the roads.
“In locations coated by amber warnings, there can be very troublesome, treacherous situations.
“Ideally avoid travelling in those periods – but if you have to head out then be aware that journeys could take significantly longer.”
Thursday night time temperatures can be much like Wednesday, which was the coldest night time of the 12 months, earlier than even chillier situations set in on Friday night time.
Mr Burkill mentioned that areas of the Highlands may see -17C, following this 12 months’s document low of -16C, which was recorded at Altnaharra within the area.
Met Office forecasters additionally mentioned this was the bottom March temperature seen within the UK since 2010, when -18.6C was recorded at Braemar in Aberdeenshire.
Travel warnings
National Highways issued a “severe weather alert” for snow throughout the North East, North West and Midlands areas till 8am on Friday, with motorists being warned to not drive until completely obligatory.
Meanwhile, the RAC mentioned on Thursday morning that there had been 50% extra breakdowns than ordinary in areas affected by snow, with some drivers caught within the snow in areas of South Yorkshire and Wales.
East Midlands Airport in Leicestershire has briefly closed its runway because of the climate “following a period of heavy snowfall”, a press release mentioned.
When will the chilly snap finish?
Although the weekend can be milder for lots of the UK, a yellow snow and ice warning is in place for northern England and a big a part of Scotland from 3pm on Saturday till 6am on Sunday.
Meteorologist Mr Deakin mentioned subsequent week may carry a “continued battleground” between colder situations and milder air pushing in from the Atlantic.
He added there can be “colder interludes” and the “potential for further snow” subsequent week.
School closures
Quite a lot of faculties throughout the nation have introduced they’re closing on Friday following the Met Office warnings.
Flintshire County Council in North Wales introduced that each one of its faculties can be shut on 10 March – as a big a part of North Wales is at the moment coated by an amber Met Office warning, with 10 to 20cm of snow probably.
At least 5 faculties within the Welsh county of Wrexham have introduced by way of Twitter that they are going to be closed on Friday.
While Sheffield Council has thus far introduced 10 suppliers may even be closed.
Schools in Birmingham and Wolverhampton have additionally let dad and mom find out about faculty closures by way of social media.
You can discover out whether or not a college in England and Wales is shut utilizing your postcode right here.
Details of faculty closures in Scotland could be discovered right here.
Source: information.sky.com”