Met Office's 'bitter' snow warning means UK faces 'coldest January night for 15 YEARS'
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Parts of the UK could see temperatures drop as low as -16C on Thursday night, making it the coldest January night for 15 years. The Met Office has issued three weather warnings for snow and ice for Thursday, covering the South West, Wales, the North West, Northern Ireland and northern parts of Scotland. The national weather agency said more warnings are likely to come as the week progresses.
Scotland and northern parts of England could see temperatures plummet as low as -16C overnight on Thursday. That would be the lowest January temperature in the UK since the mercury dropped to -22.3C in Altnaharra in the Highlands in 2010. Advanced weather modelling maps show snow will be settled on the ground across the country on Thursday evening and in the early hours of Friday. As much as 18cm is expected in the Scottish Highlands, while northern parts of England and Wales could see 10cm to 12cm. Oli Claydon, spokesman for the Met Office, told PA it will be "bitterly cold" on Thursday night.
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. 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.”.
