Londoners were greeted by their first snow of the season on Tuesday morning, with delicate flurries appearing on streets and rooftops from around 9am.
The capital shivered under the grip of a deep freeze, as the Met Office warned of icy roads and slippery pavements.
Across the UK, temperatures are set to tumble, with some areas expected to hit as low as -11C in rural Scotland later this week.
Warnings Spread Across the UK
Scotland saw snow early in the day, while Northern Ireland faced a yellow alert for snow and ice until midday.
Much of northern Scotland will remain under yellow warning until 9pm Wednesday, with the same caution extended to North East England and Yorkshire until just before midnight.
Wales, northern and central England, and southern Scotland also face icy conditions, particularly overnight.
Amber Alerts in Yorkshire Signal Potential Disruption
For parts of Yorkshire, the Met Office has issued an amber snow warning for Wednesday, highlighting the likelihood of power cuts and significant travel delays.
Frequent snow showers are expected to blow inland from the North Sea, with heavy accumulation possible over the North York Moors and Yorkshire Wolds.
Some hills above 100m could see up to 25cm of snow, enough to cause serious disruption.
Arctic Air Brings Early Winter Chill
Neil Armstrong, the Met Office’s chief forecaster, said the UK is under the firm grip of cold Arctic air, producing the first notable cold snap of the season.
“Winter hazards are likely for the next few days,” he said, noting snow and ice as the primary concerns.
The coldest conditions are expected on Wednesday and Thursday, with wintry showers affecting exposed areas from Northern Ireland to north-east England and across Scotland.
Icy Roads and Travel Precautions
The Met Office warned that where snow falls more frequently, accumulations of 2cm to 5cm are possible, rising to 15cm to 20cm on higher ground in Scotland, and 15cm to 25cm across parts of Yorkshire.
Drivers are urged to take extra care, as icy roads could create particularly tricky travel conditions, especially overnight.
National Highways Prepares for Winter
Darren Clark, severe weather resilience adviser at National Highways, confirmed that gritters are already out on the roads.
“We have more than 530 gritters available nationally and can call on reserves if needed,” he said.
Clark urged drivers to check fuel, lights, tyres, and screenwash, emphasizing that planning ahead can make all the difference in freezing conditions.
Record Cold Nights and Scotland in the Grip
Saturday night saw the coldest temperatures since March, with Tulloch Bridge in the Highlands dropping to -7C.
With clear skies continuing in many areas, overnight ice remains a concern, particularly in rural and elevated regions.
Could the Beast from the East Return?
Meteorologists are keeping a close eye on forecasts suggesting a Sudden Stratospheric Warming (SSW) event may be on the horizon.
SSW, which caused the infamous Beast from the East in February 2018, can redirect winds and bring freezing air from Siberia, raising the possibility of another severe cold spell.
What SSW Means for Winter
While SSW events don’t always result in extreme cold, they greatly increase the chances.
In 2018, the Beast from the East combined with Storm Emma to cause widespread travel chaos, school closures, and stranded motorists.
This year, early signals hint at a potentially cold start to winter, though forecasters caution it’s too early to predict exact impacts.
Looking Ahead
By Friday, conditions are expected to ease for many, with temperatures slowly rising and rain spreading from the west.
Still, the message from experts is clear: winter is arriving early, and residents across the UK should stay vigilant, prepare for icy roads, and expect more cold and snow in the days to come.
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