Map reveals towns at risk of being cut-off in -8C freeze as swathes of health alerts issued & 16 INCHES of snow to fall
A MAP has revealed the towns at risk of being cut off in a -8C freeze – with swathes of health alerts were issued and 16 inches of snow set to fall.
Public health bosses have issued amber alerts for the whole of England from now until January 8.
The UK Health Security Agency warned a rise in deaths is likely, particularly among the elderly and people with health problems.
A Met Office yellow warning for snow will be in force from noon tomorrow until 9am on Monday.
Around 2 inches of snow is expected widely across the Midlands, Wales and northern England.
A whopping 16 inches could fall over high ground in Wales and the Pennines.
Forecasters warned that some places could be cut off by the heavy snowfall.
In past the Lincolnshire villages of Stenigot, Wainfleet St Mary, Dunholme and Winteringham have been cut off.
Sutton Bank, Cold Kirby and other villages in and around the North York Moors have also been isolated before.
Llanstephan in mid-Wales, Flash in Staffordshire and Cow Ark in Lancashire are also vulnerable to heavy snow.
Nenthead, Old Nenthead, Garrigill and Ayle in the heights of County Durham could also be cut off.
Last night the mercury sank as low as minus 8C in rural Scotland and northern England.
Another yellow warning for ice will cover Scotland, parts of Northern Ireland, north Wales and north west England.
The ice warning will be in force from 4pm this afternoon until 10am tomorrow morning.
Strong winds could lead to snow drifts in some areas, and freezing rain as temperatures creep up could add to the risk of ice.
Map reveals the 140 areas at risk of power cuts this weekend
AN interactive map reveals the areas at risk of power cuts after yellow and amber weather warnings were issued.
The Met Office is warning that large parts of the UK will be hit with snow and icy conditions over the weekend.
Forecasters said there is a “small chance” of power cuts in areas forecast to experience cold weather.
Our maps above highlight the regions under weather warnings this weekend, which could potentially experience power cuts.
You can see the maps here.
Met Office meteorologist Tom Morgan said: “At the moment we’ve issued a very large snow warning for Saturday until Monday.
“But it doesn’t mean that everywhere within that warning could see snow, it’s just a heads-up there could be some impacts.”
The Met Office has warned people to be prepared and aware when travelling with longer journey times likely.
Railways are likely to experience delays or cancellations, with National Rail confirming that various routes across the UK are impacted.
Poor weather is currently affecting National Rail’s Northern and ScotRail services.
In Wales, buses are replacing trains between Llandudno Junction and Blaenau Ffestiniog.
There could be icy surfaces in northern and western Scotland, the north west of England and Northern Ireland.
Motorists and pedestrians alike are warned to be wary of icy patches on untreated roads, pavements, or cycle paths.
Yesterday London councils activated an emergency accommodation protocol for people sleeping rough in freezing conditions.
The emergency measures, which see extra beds made available, have been active for three nights so far this winter.
A major incident declared in Greater Manchester on Wednesday because of flooding has been stood down.
Emergency services and partners now focusing on recovery efforts and there have been no casualties or reports of serious injuries.
ICE ICE MAYBE
Conditions should become a little warmer over the weekend before cold snap sets in again early next week.
Met Office expert Dan Stroud said: “The second half of the weekend should be in the high singles or low doubles.
“But temperatures will dive again next week, particularly on Monday and Tuesday.
“They should start to improve towards the latter end of the week – but there’s a lot of water to go under the bridge until then.”
NHS bosses in the West Midlands have warned locals not to go out early in the morning or late at night, when frost will be thick.
They said people should keep hands free and wear shoes with a good grip.
Herefordshire residents have been urged to stock up on food and medicine and to seal up draughts in their homes.
OAP STRUGGLE
Age UK chief Caroline Abrahams said pensioners will struggle in the cold snap after the government slashed the winter fuel allowance.
Ms Abrahams said OAPs had already contacted the charity “worrying about what to do when this moment arrived”.
She said said: “We urge older people to do everything they can to stay warm.
“Even if that means risking spending more on their heating than they feel they can afford.
“The energy companies are under an obligation to help if you are struggling.”
Abrahams added: “There may be support available from your local council too.”
From this winter, only people on pension credit or certain other benefits will receive the winter fuel payments.
More than nine million others are set to be stripped of the allowance under the new rules.
This weekend's Met Office forecast in full
Today
It will remain cold but mostly dry and sunny for many. Snow showers will continue to affect coasts exposed to the northerly wind.
But these will be more of a wintry mix of rain, sleet and snow in the west.
Tonight
Showers in the north and west, these wintry over the hills will move eastwards.
Elsewhere with clear spells, temperatures will drop below freezing with a widespread frost developing for many.
Saturday
A cold and frosty for many, however thicker cloud will spread in from the southwest during the afternoon.
A mixture of rain, sleet and snow pushing northwards overnight.
Sunday to Tuesday
Rain, sleet and snow continuing to spread northeast on Sunday, turning briefly milder in the south.
Colder but drier again on Monday with wintry showers, similar on Tuesday.