Following floods and high winds over Christmas, it was the turn of snow showers to make life challenging across wide parts of the UK on Monday.
Driving conditions in swathes of England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland were hazardous with one police force asking people not to travel unless absolutely necessary.
The Met Office issued a yellow severe weather warning, saying many journeys by road and rail would take longer and pavements in many places were likely to be slippy.
The cold snap is expected to continue for the rest of the week. Yellow warnings for snow and ice have also been put in place for Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday for parts of the UK. About 10cm of snow was predicted to fall overnight on the Pennines in north-west England on Monday night and Tuesday morning.
Some roads on high ground in Wales were blocked by the snow on Monday morning and there was a string of traffic accidents in the north-west of England.
Gloucestershire police said snow was causing disruption and asked people to stay inside if they could. “Heavy snow is starting to fall in the rural parts of the county,” the force said. “This will cause delays on the roads.
Glos Police
(@Glos_Police)
Heavy snow is starting to fall in the rural parts of the county. This will cause delays on the roads. Only go out if it is essential to do so. Make sure you plan your route and have everything you may need in an emergency including a fully charged mobile phone.
December 28, 2020
“Only go out if it is essential to do so. Make sure you plan your route and have everything you may need in an emergency including a fully charged mobile phone.
“We are receiving a number of reports of snow around the county causing disruption, particularly in the Forest of Dean and the A417 around Birdlip. Please stay safe and avoid all unnecessary travel.”
Staffordshire police also warned of “serious disruption”, with several roads in the area impassable. Cars were abandoned and roads shut in Stoke-on-Trent after up to 8cm of snow fell. Rail services were also disrupted. In the West Midlands, Dudley zoo closed because of the snow.
The yellow severe warning covered extensive areas of northern England, the Midlands, London, parts of the south-west and most of Scotland and Northern Ireland.
A race meeting at Haydock Park in Merseyside due to take place on Wednesday, billed as The Last Fling, was abandoned after 10cm of snow fell on ground that was soggy after downpours over Christmas.
Haydock Park Races
(@haydockraces)
Racing abandoned — Wednesday 30th December.
Unfortunately due to four inches of snow overnight and substantial rain on Boxing Day, racing has been abandoned on Wednesday 30th December. pic.twitter.com/zLLxcRY4OL
December 28, 2020
Many places where snow has fallen are still dealing with the aftermath of heavy rain and strong winds. As darkness fell on Monday there were more than 80 flood warnings – meaning flooding is expected – and almost 150 flood alerts – flooding is possible – in place in England.
In Northern Ireland winds of up to 60mph were recorded and snow draped parts of the Black Mountain that overlooks Belfast.
In the Republic of Ireland, crews from the utility supplier ESB worked on Monday to restore power to hundreds of homes and businesses that lost electricity due to strong winds. A wind warning remained in place for several counties on the Atlantic coast.
There has been an upside to the dramatic weather. Not only have snow lovers been able to dust off sledges and build snow-people, the gales meant that for the first time, more than half of Britain’s electricity (50.67%) was generated by wind power on Saturday, according to the energy company Drax.
Covid-19 restrictions meant that most roads were quieter than normal, but drivers were being urged to be prepared this week.
Ben Sheridan of the AA said: “Thawing snow, rainfall and freezing temperatures overnight [will] lead to challenging driving conditions, with roads likely to be icy in the morning.”
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