SOMERSET and Devon have had two snow days in a row with parts of Somerset having 2cm of snow by Wednesday evening according to the Met Office.
Snow and sleet began to hit southern England on Wednesday afternoon as an amber weather warning came into force until 9pm, with the Met Office saying further warnings are likely to be issued as the week goes on.
Snow fell hard during the evening of January 8 in the Blackdown Hills, Bishops Lydeard Hill, Staple Fitzpaine, Ilminster and in Wells and Shepton Mallet during January 7.
The Met Office measured 2cm in Liscombe, Somerset, by Wednesday evening.
Ice and snow weather warnings
The Met Office yellow weather warning for snow covering southern counties of England remained in place until midnight on Wednesday.
A new yellow ice warning has been issued for parts of southern England and south-east Wales between 00.15am and 10.30am on Thursday, January 9.
The Met Office has warned that snow and icy patches in these areas could lead to some disruption.
Freezing temperatures tonight
Overnight, temperatures are set to drop sharply with sub-zero temperatures expected across the country.
Minimum temperatures of minus 16C could be reached on Thursday night across the UK, the Met Office said.
Oli Claydon, spokesman for the Met Office, told the PA news agency it will be “bitterly cold” on Thursday night.
Amber cold weather health alert extended
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has extended its cold weather health alert for all of England until Sunday.
Amber alerts issued on Thursday have been extended and will now run until January 12, meaning a rise in deaths is likely, the agency said.
Dr Agostinho Sousa, head of extreme events and health protection at the UKHSA, said: “We are extending the duration of our Cold-Health Alert, since the Met Office are forecasting that the low temperatures we are seeing will continue further into this week, with snow and icy conditions likely to persist.
“This weather can have a serious impact on the health of some people, including those aged 65 and over and those with pre-existing health conditions, and it is therefore vital that we continue to check in on friends, family and neighbours that are most vulnerable.
“These people could be more at risk of heart attacks, stroke and chest infections as a result of cold temperatures.”
Disrupted travel
Police in Devon and Cornwall have urged drivers to wait until the snow passes to carry out their journeys, unless they are necessary.
Significant travel disruption was caused in Devon on Wednesday, with some roads closed and motorist’s stationary for “long periods of time”, a joint statement from Devon and Cornwall Police and Devon County Council Highways said.
Snow ploughs became stuck in queues of traffic caused by “minor incidents”, the statement added.
As icy conditions persist, motorists are being urged to stick to major roads that are most likely to have been gritted.
Car insurer RAC said it has seen the highest levels of demand for rescues in a three-day period since December 2022.
“Cold conditions will last until at least the weekend, so we urge drivers to remain vigilant of the risks posed by ice and, in some locations, snow,” said RAC breakdown spokeswoman Alice Simpson.
“Black ice on rural roads can be impossible to spot, leaving very little time to react if driving at speed. Sticking to major roads that are most likely to have been gritted is strongly recommended.”
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