Heavy snow and freezing rain sweep in as amber warnings come into force
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Large parts of the UK are facing heavy snow and freezing rain, which is likely to cause disruption, after two amber weather warnings came into force. Stranded vehicles on the roads, delayed or cancelled rail and air travel, and power cuts are all likely as the country grapples with a week-long spell of wintry conditions, the Met Office said.
There is also a “good chance” that rural communities could be cut off thanks to the weather, with up to 30cm of snowfall expected in some areas. Cumbria Police said on Saturday afternoon that it had received numerous calls about a multiple-vehicle collision on Wrynose Pass in the Lake District.
In a post on social media, the force added that there was “a lot of snow and ice” on the road. An amber warning for snow and rare freezing rain covering most of Wales and central England, including the Midlands and the north-west cities of Liverpool and Manchester, came into effect at 6pm on Saturday and lasts until midday on Sunday, the Met Office said.
The second warning for snow, covering most of northern England including Leeds, Sheffield and the Lake District, starts at 9pm on Saturday and will remain in place until midnight on Sunday. Both of the warning areas can expect to see 3cm to 7cm of snowfall widely, while snow may mix with rain at times in lower-lying areas, the forecaster said.
A Met Office spokesperson confirmed the temperatures reached a low of minus 8.6C in Aboyne in Aberdeenshire overnight. Chilly conditions were expected to continue for most of Saturday, with most places ranging from 2-5C, with highs of 7C in south-west England.
