SEVERE weather warnings are currently in place for ice as temperatures plunged below -10C following weekend snowfall.
Travel disruption and power cuts are likely, and there is also a risk that some rural communities could be cut off.
The Met Office has said travel delays are likely as is ice on untreated roads and pathways. Four vaccination centres in Wales and a testing centre in Lichfield have also been forced to close amid safety concerns.
Flood warnings also remain in place across the Midlands, Yorkshire, and along the England-Wales border following Storm Christoph.
Follow our weather live blog below for the latest news and updates from around the country
- Alice Peacock
MILD WEATHER BRINGS RISK OF FLOODING
Some parts of the UK are braced for the potential of floods with milder weather expected to melt away the weekend's snowfall.
The Met Office told Metro the weekend's snowfall would likely remain on the ground in some places through Monday.
Temperatures would rise following this, causing a greater risk of flooding.
‘It’s a bit of a rollercoaster from cold and wintry conditions to wet and windy ones,' Met Office meteorologist Simon Partridge said.
- Alice Peacock
TAKE CARE OUT THERE
Brits on the move on Monday morning are being urged to be wary of icy conditions.
Patches of ice were expected to have formed on untreated roads, pavements and cycle paths.
"Take care if you do need to go out this morning, as untreated roads and pavements maybe slippery," the Met Office tweeted.
"Stay #WeatherAware."
- Abe Hawken
THE BIG FREEZE
Brits have been warned to expect widespread sub-zero temperatures and icy, treacherous conditions caused by Sunday’s snowfall.
The Met Office said the mercury could dip between minus 4C (24.8F) and minus 6C (21.2F) going into Monday, with parts of the Midlands told to brace for minus 10C (14F).
An amber weather warning for snow is in place covering an area from Nottingham to Stoke-on-Trent, meaning travel disruption and power cuts are likely.
There is also a risk that some rural communities could be cut off.
- Abe Hawken
FLOOD WARNING
Monday is set to start cold and bright across most of the UK, but forecasters have warned milder weather and the risk of flooding are just around the corner.
After snow hit large swathes of the country on Sunday, the mercury was expected to drop to between minus 10C and minus 12C overnight in parts of the Midlands and Wales.
Two yellow weather warnings across eastern Scotland and the island of Ireland for snow and ice will remain in force until 11am.
It means icy patches on untreated roads and pavements are expected, with journeys by road and rail likely to be affected.
- Abe Hawken
TODAY'S FORECAST
The Met Office said: "A very cold start but most areas fine, dry and bright.
"Wintry showers continuing over north and west Scotland and perhaps Irish Sea coasts of northwest England and north Wales.
"Breezy for many and feeling cold."
- Justin Lawrence
COLD AND BRIGHT CONDITIONS TO GIVE WAY TO RAIN IN THE WEEK
Monday is set to start cold and bright across most of the UK, but forecasters have warned milder weather and the risk of flooding are just around the corner.
After snow hit large swathes of the country on Sunday, the mercury was expected to drop to between minus 10C and minus 12C overnight in parts of the Midlands and Wales.
Two yellow weather warnings across eastern Scotland and the island of Ireland for snow and ice will remain in force until 11am.
It means icy patches on untreated roads and pavements are expected, with journeys by road and rail likely to be affected.
Similar warnings for ice cover the south, Midlands, Wales and the north west until 11am.
- Justin Lawrence
BRICKLAYER SKIS THROUGH SNOWY STREETS IN UNDERWEAR
A bricklayer has been filmed skiing through the streets in the snow in just a pair of boxers and a hat.
Mick Daffern, 51, was captured being towed along by a truck and some rope, yelling “faster” while waving at neighbours.
He decided to use his skis when he saw thick snow had blanketed his hometown of Wolverhampton, Birmingham Live reports.
He said it was a “no-brainer” as they had been gathering dust due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Daffern said: "It’s a bit of tongue in cheek stuff, I’m glad everyone is able to have a laugh."
- Justin Lawrence
HUNDREDS FLOCK TO LONDON PARK FOR SNOWBALL FIGHT DEFYING LOCKDOWN RULES
Londoners flocked to parks to enjoy the snow despite the lockdown rules as videos emerge online of hundreds meeting outside.
Hundreds of people were spotted on Primrose Hill sledging and having snowball fights despite strict lockdown rules.
The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan was also out enjoying the weather from his home.
He posted a video of his family's golden retriever Luna spinning around the garden as the snow fell.
He said: "Luna is loving the snow and hoping it settles."
- Justin Lawrence
ANGER AS UNMASKED DANCERS DEFY LOCKDOWN RULES TO GATHER IN SNOWY PARK
A group of dancers have caused outrage after breaking lockdown restrictions to gather at a snow-filled park and perform a routine.
The large troupe were filmed dancing to loud music at Spinney Hill Park in Leicester, while failing to wear face masks or socially distance.
Video footage shows around 30 people showing off their moves before apparently being pelted with snowballs by youths on Sunday afternoon.
The concerning incident took place between 3.30pm and 4pm following heavy snowfall earlier in the morning, reports Leicestershire Live.
One resident said there were also large numbers of families enjoying the wintry conditions but, in contrast, were sticking to the lockdown rules that allow for daily exercise.
- Justin Lawrence
BRADFORD SEES FIRST SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF SNOW IN YEARS
UK city Bradford has seen its first significant amount of snow following today's fall.
After the lunchtime snow, snowmen suddenly started to appear over the snow covered green spaces in the city.
This comes as the UK has been issued severe weather warnings tonight.
- Justin Lawrence
DOGS HAVE A BLAST IN TODAY'S SNOW
As snow fell across the country, a host of dog pictures emerged of the animals enjoying the freezing weather.
Images show a labrador catching a snowball and a terrier dashing through the snow.
But it wasn't all fun for the mutts as one a husky was pictured inside a snow-covered van, and another of a dog's owner trying to keep him on board while sliding down a hill.
- Justin Lawrence
BRITS WARNED OF TREACHOROUS SUB-ZERO TEMPERATURES FOLLOWING SNOWFALL
Brits have been warned to expect widespread sub-zero temperatures and icy, treacherous conditions caused by today's snowfall.
The Met Office said the mercury could dip between – 4Cand – 6C, going into Monday, with parts of the Midlands told to brace for – 10C.
An amber weather warning for snow is in place covering an area from Nottingham to Stoke-on-Trent, meaning travel disruption and power cuts are likely.
There is also a risk that some rural communities could be cut off.
- Claudia Aoraha
THE MAGIC OF SNOW
One person used the magic of the snowfall to pop a special question.
Jake Cleary proposed to Millie Ayton in a winter wonderland at Shepton Mallet's Collett park today – and thankfully, she said yes.
Credit: Apex News - Claudia Aoraha
TONIGHT'S FORECAST
The Met Office said: "Tonight will be another very cold one, especially where we have snow cover. Why?
"At night, snow is very effective at emitting longwave radiation back to space, which decreases the temperature at the surface.
"Rural parts of England and Wales could see lows approaching -10 to -12 °C."
- Claudia Aoraha
STUNNING SNOWY SHOTS
Gold Hill at Shaftesbury in Dorset is blanketed by snow after overnight wintery showers.
Credit: Alamy Live News
- Justin Lawrence
'THUNDERSNOW' REPORTED AMID SEVERE WEATHER ACROSS UK
A rare thundersnow event was recorded as snow fall lashed UK earlier today.
In Hampshire, residents were woken up in the night by a large bang after a "thundersnow" strike.
The phenomenon happens when thunder and lightning mix with a heavy snowstorm – sometimes causing loud claps that can be confused with explosions.
Tom Morgan, a meteorologist at the Met Office, told the Southern Daily Echo: "A band of snow, sleet and some rain along the coast pushed across the whole of the Hampshire and it was quite heavy.
"We did have some thunderstorms as well and therefore we also this phenomenon called thundersnow, which is a thunderstorm that contains snow rather than rain."
- Justin Lawrence
UK SET FOR MORE SNOW MISERY TONIGHT
The UK is set to be hit by heavy snowfall again tonight after being covered in it earlier today.
The Met Office has issued an amber warning for snow, effective until 8pm covering Stoke-on-Trent, Derby and Nottingham.
Meteorologists warned of possible disruption to rail and air travel.
In the Midlands, temperatures are set to drop as low as -10C, according to reports.
- Justin Lawrence
DANCING ON ICE STUDIO HIT BY SNOW BLIZZARD AMID FEARS GEMMA COLLINS WILL BE STRANDED
DANCING On Ice's studios have been hit by a snow blizzard – and guest star Gemma Collins is worried she might not get out.
The Sun revealed last night that the 39-year-old Towie legend will be lowered onto the rink in a giant hoop tonight.
However, when she arrived at the show's studio – a purpose-built rink at the former RAF Bovingdon base in Hertfortshire – she was more worried about getting home.
Filming the snow pouring down as she approached, Gemma told fans: "When I get out of the Dancing On Ice studios tonight, will I ever make it home? This is just unbelievable."
Britain was blanketed in heavy snow today, with it coming to London and the surrounding areas for the first time this year.
- Justin Lawrence
AMBER warning as 5ins snow to fall in just 3 hours tonight after families enjoy flurries in London
LONDON has been blanketed in snow for the first time this year as a big freeze grips the UK.
Crowds flocked to the capital's green spaces despite strict lockdown rules urging people to stay at home.
Woolly-wearing Londoners were seen at Hampstead Heath, Primrose Hill, Richmond Park and other beauty spots in their droves.
Pictures show crowds of poeple congregating atop Primrose Hill, with thick, white flakes covering the ground.
Flakes fell across the rest of the UK today too, with a whiteout forecasted to grip the nation until at least Wednesday.
- Justin Lawrence
VACCINE CENTRES FORCED TO SHUT DUE TO SNOW CHAOS
Four UK coronavirus vaccination centres have been forced to close due to heavy snow fall on the roads.
Over 2,000 people were due for jabs at the hubs in the Welsh valleys, which is one of the worst hit areas in Britain for infections.
But NHS chiefs say appointments at the Bridgend, Rhondda, Abercynon and Merthyr Tydfil centres will be "rescheduled for safety reasons."
People across the UK have been reminded to only travel if absolutely essential, with drivers warned to take care on icy roads.
The Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning stretching from coast to coast in southern England, ending just below Manchester.
- Christy Cooney
#NARNIA TRENDS ON TWITTER AS SNOW FALLS ACROSS COUNTRY
The hashtag #Narnia trended in the UK this afternoon as snow fell across the country.
Areas including London, Wales, and the Southwest saw snow today as temperatures fell as low as zero in parts.
Up to 15cm of snow is expected in the Brecon Beacons and Snowdonia.
Photos from London showed streets blanketed in snow and people on snow-covered hillsides with sleds and skis.
- Christy Cooney
SNOW CAUSES AT LEAST THREE MOTORWAY COLLISIONS
Snow and icy conditions have reportedly caused at least three motorway collisions in England, the BBC reports.
Highways England has said it is aware of incident on the M3, M27 and M25 in southern England.
The agency said drivers should only make journeys if they are essential.
Those who do travel are being told to allow additional time.
- Christy Cooney
CONDITIONS CLOSE VACCINATION AND TESTING CENTRES
Snow and icy conditions have forced a number of vaccination and testing centres across the country to close.
In Wales, the Cwm Taf Morgannwg health board said that Sunday appointments at the Bridgend, Rhondda, Abercynon, and Merthyr Tydfil vaccine centres would be rescheduled.
A testing facility that had been set up at the Lichfield FC ground in Lichfield,Staffordshire has also had to close.
Local MP Michael Fabricant said on twitter that anyone who has booked a test would be "contacted and offered an alternative appointment where possible".
- Chris Bradford
KEEPING KIDS SAFE DURING WINTER
Winter is here and your little ones may have experienced snow for the first time.
Here’s a couple of tips on how your child can stay safe during winter:
- Check the temperature of their bedroom. For a baby, the recommended temperature should be between 16-20C.
- Have a relaxing, warm bath. This is a great way to prevent little ones from getting overtired. It’s recommended that parents should put youngsters to bed within half an hour of coming out of the bath.
- Avoid using electric blankets and hot water bottles. Children cannot regulate their body temperature until they are around two years old.
- Don’t let them wear a hat indoors. Many babies lose excess body heat through their head so wearing a hat can increase the chance of them overheating.
A full list of tips are available at The Gro Company Sleep Club
CAN YOU SPOT THE SIGNS OF HYPOTHERMIA?
Hypothermia is when the body’s temperature drops below 35C and often becomes fatal when the body temperature drops to 30C.
But, what are the symptoms? Find out here:
- Shivering and pale, cold and dry skin
- Tiredness
- Slow and shallow breathing
- Slow and weakening pulse
- If someone’s body temperature drops to 32C or lower, they’ll usually pass out.
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