Snow and ice warnings issued for parts of UK

Live Reporting

Edited by Jenna Moon

  1. The latest flurry of photos from across the UK

    We've been enjoying seeing some of BBC Weather Watchers' chilly photos from the newsroom this morning.

    Here are some of our favourites. Keep your photos coming by sending them into BBC Weather Watchers.

    A view over Keswick hills with frost on the ground. The sea can be seen to the rightBBC Weather Watchers/John

    Keswick, Cumbria

    Snow covers the hills with some buildings seen at the centre of the image. The sun rises in the right hand corner giving a yellow/orange skyBBC Weather Watchers/Jeannie

    Mid Yell/Shetland Islands

    A landscape shot over snow covered ground. The sky is cloudyBBC Weather Watchers/Rockdoc

    Elsrickle, South Lancashire

    A path dusted in snow is at the centre of the image. A wooden building to the right and trees to the left and ahead. The sun is rising in the rightBBC Weather Watchers/Nellington

    Methven, Perth and Kinross

    A stag can be seen standing in frosty folliageReuters

    Richmond Park, London

  2. New snow and ice warning for parts of Scotland

    Elizabeth Rizzini
    Lead Weather Presenter

    The Met Office has issued another yellow warning for snow and ice across Eastern Scotland from 09:00 on Sunday until 06:00 on Monday covering an area from Inverness down to Dundee and Edinburgh.

    There could be some snow accumulations.

    In south-west Scotland, the Lothian Borders and Strathclyde, there is a warning in force for snow with accumulations of up to 10-15cm over higher ground.

  3. Multi-weather hazard event forecast for Republic of Ireland, weather service says

    Meanwhile, the Republic of Ireland has also been issued with orange weather alerts.

    The Republic of Ireland's weather service Met Éireann has issued a number of alerts for snow and ice over the weekend, describing it as a "multi-weather hazard event".

    A status orange warning for snow and ice is in place in eight counties: Carlow, Kilkenny, Laois, Offaly, Wicklow, Clare, Limerick, Tipperary, from 17:00 local time on Saturday until 17:00 on Sunday, with a orange rain and snow alert affecting counties Cork and Kerry.

    You can read more about this in our story.

  4. New weather warnings - what you need to know

    Elizabeth Rizzini
    Lead Weather Presenter

    Woman walks her black and white dog on a field covered with a dusting of white snow, a children's playground is blurred in the backgroundPA Media

    The Met Office has issued some new yellow weather warnings. Yellow warnings mean severe weather is likely and it will have some impact.

    There is a new yellow warning for snow and ice for Northern Ireland covering counties Antrim, Armagh, Down, Fermanagh, Londonderry and Tyrone. It's in place from 21:00 tonight until 18:00 tomorrow .

    There will be spells of rain sleet and snow with accumulations of 1-3cm possible maybe 5-10cm over the Mournes, Sperrins and Antrim hills. It will also be icy.

    Another warning for ice has been issued for Northern Scotland from 16:00 today until 10:00 tomorrow. There will be scattered wintry showers and freezing temperatures overnight but little if any more falling snow for many areas apart from in Shetland. This warning covers Grampian, the Highlands, Romney and Shetland.

    Orkney and Shetland have a separate warning for snow from 10:00 till 18:00 today. There could be 2-5cm , locally 10cm.

    Meanwhile a warning for rain has been issued for Derbyshire, north-west England, Wales and the West Midlands valid from 06:00 tomorrow till 21:00 - fresh rainfall with milder air and thawing snow could cause some flooding.

  5. New yellow warning issued for Shetland Islands
    Breaking

    Within the last hour, the Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning for snow covering the Shetland Islands between 10:00 and 18:00 GMT today.

    "Persistent sleet or snow on Saturday may cause some disruption," the warning advises.

    The Met Office says that 2-5cm of sleet or snow may potentially accumulate "in quite a few places", with up to 10cm over high ground.

  6. Significant risk of snow in parts of Northern Ireland, forecasts suggest

    A wide shot of a herd of sheep in a snow-covered field underneath a tall tree.Getty Images

    A yellow ice warning is in place for four counties in Northern Ireland until 10:00 GMT

    In Northern Ireland, a yellow ice warning is in place for counties Antrim, Down, Londonderry and Tyrone is soon to end at 10:00 GMT.

    Katesbridge in County Down recorded the coldest temperature on the island of Ireland at -6C (21.2F) on Friday.

    The Met Office said icy surfaces could lead to difficult travel conditions and slips and falls could lead to injuries.

    There is also a significant risk of snow falling in parts of Northern Ireland overnight Saturday into Sunday morning, but it is not yet clear how far north that weather system will get.

    You can read more about this in our story.

  7. Driving on icy or snowy roads - tips on staying safe

    Cars driving on roads covered in snow and iceGetty Images

    Drivers battled through icy road conditions during the cold snap earlier this year

    As we've just reported, freezing ice and snow on roads can lead to treacherous driving conditions.

    Traffic England and Traffic Scotland have come up with these key tips for drivers on how to stay safe:

    • Vehicle maintenance: do your headlights and fog lights work? Do you need winter tyres? Check your wipers, fuel, oil and tyre pressure
    • Pack an emergency winter travel kit: boots, warm clothes, de-icer, ice scraper, blankets, torch (and replacement batteries), fully charge mobile and car chargers, snow shovel, high-visibility jacket, and sunglasses (for the low winter sun)
    • Plan your route: keep an eye on the weather forecast, accidents and traffic. Also, set off with plenty of time for your journey
    • Pack the essentials: Traffic Scotland says certain essentials should be kept in your car - including food and water, a first aid kit, jump start cables, an empty fuel can and a back-up phone charger
    • Be vigilant: Drivers are also advised to leave extra stopping distance with the vehicle in front, keep both hands on the wheel, and drive slowly on bends

  8. Freezing rain forecast - but what is it?

    Elizabeth Rizzini
    Lead Weather Presenter

    Brown wooden fence covered in icicles that have formed as long drops of water, frozen in place, above the groundGetty Images

    Freezing rain falls as a liquid, but freezes on impact

    Freezing rain is particularly dangerous and causes treacherous driving conditions and very slippery surfaces.

    It's basically rain that is supercooled and falls as a liquid, but freezes on impact. It can be invisible and forms a glaze which can then continue to build up, potentially forming an area like an ice rink. It is very difficult to grit against.

    There is the risk of freezing rain towards the south of the amber warning area - especially across parts of Wales and the Midlands as well as possibly northern England tonight and early tomorrow.

    We get freezing rain as it falls through warmer air higher up in the atmosphere, as milder air approaches but the air remains cold while journeying towards the Earth's surface. The raindrop is supercooled as it reaches the ground and freezes again on impact.

  9. Your pictures: A frosty start to the weekend

    Many across the UK are beginning to wake up to a dusting of frost in town centres and on their streets. BBC Weather Watchers have been sending images from across the UK through to the BBC newsroom.

    You can send pictures of the weather where you are via BBC Weather Watchers.

    An overhead shot looking down on a public path with grass and frost on the left and market stalls on the rightBBC Weather Watchers/Walking Tractor

    Norwich, in Norfolk, has seen a thin layer of frost covering the ground close to its central market

    An overhead shot of water surrounded by trees with frostBBC Weather Watchers/Stormchaser Al

    Halesowen, in Dudley, is a chilly scene this morning with trees covered in a dusting of frost

    Parked cars covered in frost line the sides of a residential streetBBC Weather Watchers/Walking Tractor

    For some drivers in Cromer, Norfolk, a trip out in the car will require some defrosting

  10. Aberdeenshire records -8.6C, the coldest overnight temperatures

    A number of deer stand below a tree with frost on the groundPA Media

    Phoenix Park in Dublin on Friday

    Let's take a quick look at some of the lowest temperatures recorded in the UK overnight:

    England

    -6C Bournemouth, Dorset

    Wales

    -4.2C Usk, Monmouthshire

    Northern Ireland

    -5.5C Katesbridge, County Down

    Scotland

    -8.6C Aboyne, Aberdeenshire

    -7.9C Dyce, Aberdeen

  11. Frozen pitch, frozen tracks: Sporting fixtures postponed due to icy conditions

    Cheltenham Town football pitch with stands in the background, large black ground sheet covers the grass with frost visibleMark Leach/BBC

    Following a pitch inspection, Cheltenham Town's fixture today against Walsall has been postponed

    As the UK wakes up this morning to cold temperatures, some event organisers have decided to call off various sporting fixtures.

    Cheltenham Town's League Two game against Walsall on Saturday has been postponed due to a frozen pitch following an inspection made on Friday.

    Halifax Town's National League home game against Fylde has been postponed for a second time due to "freezing temperatures".

    Meanwhile, a race at Newcastle Racecourse has also been abandoned as the track is frozen in places, the racecourse announced.

    Events at Sandown and Wincanton have also been cancelled - with Sandown experiencing -2C temperatures since midnight through to this morning's inspection. This is not expected to rise above freezing until 11:00 this morning.

    Wincanton saw temperatures as low as -4.2C overnight.

  12. Increased likelihood of disruption today

    Elizabeth Rizzini
    Lead Weather Presenter

    There are two amber warnings issued by the Met Office currently in place.

    Amber warnings are the second highest level of alert and should be taken seriously as there is an increased likelihood of disruption from severe weather with the possibility of travel delays, power cuts and the potential of risk to life and property.

    The first warning is for snow and ice and covers most of Wales, the Midlands and northern England. It encompasses major cities such as Birmingham, Manchester, Liverpool and Nottingham. It's valid from 18:00 today until 12:00 tomorrow.

    There will be a period of snow as rain moves northwards tonight followed by the potential for some freezing rain before the air turns milder into tomorrow.

    There is another amber warning that covers northern England, including the Pennines. This comes into effect at 21:00 tonight and is valid until midnight on Sunday.

    Snow will move northwards on Saturday night. Areas above 150m could see as much as 15-30cm of snow with possibly 40cm in areas above 300m. This is enough to cut off some rural communities and cause damage to power lines.

  13. What's the latest forecast?

    Wintry weather has been forecast throughout the weekend - BBC's Sarah Keith-Lucas has the latest on what to expect over the coming days.

    Latest forecast: Will it snow where you are?

  14. Speed restrictions and line closures, how weather may affect National Rail services

    A yellow suitcase in the foreground with someone who holds the leads to two dogs. Other passengers and arrival and departure boards seen in the background slightly blurredEPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock

    Passengers at Euston station on Thursday

    In an update published in the early hours of this morning, National Rail says that ice and snow could lead to speed restrictions and some line closures today.

    They advise that poor weather is currently affecting ScotRail services, and may affect Northern services and TransPennine Express services.

    "Some operators are reportedly also still impacted by incidents arising from weather issues earlier this week", National Rail adds.

    The operator is advising passengers to check their journey before travelling today.

  15. What weather alerts are currently in place?

    People walk in hiking gear on hill with rocks covered in snowPA Media

    The Met Office warns there could be disruption in to transport and other services. Here are the current weather alerts:

    • An amber warning for snow and freezing rain covering most of Wales and central England, including the Midlands and the north-west cities of Liverpool and Manchester, from 18:00 on Saturday to noon on Sunday
    • A warning for snow covering most of northern England including Leeds, Sheffield and the Lake District from 21:00 on Saturday to midnight on Sunday
    • A yellow warning for ice covering most of Scotland, northern England and parts of Northern Ireland and Wales until 10:00 on Saturday
    • A yellow warning for snow and ice for most of England and Wales from midday on Saturday until midnight on Sunday

    For context: An amber weather warning means there is an increased likelihood of bad weather affecting you, which could potentially disrupt your plans and possibly cause travel delays, road and rail closures, interruption to power and the potential risk to life and property.

  16. How could the cold weather affect you?

    The Met Office has outlined how heavy snow and freezing rain, which is forecast for parts of England and Wales from this evening, could impact you:

    • Power cuts may occur, with the potential to affect other services, such as mobile phone coverage
    • Travel delays on roads are likely, stranding some vehicles and passengers
    • Some road closures and longer journey times possible
    • Some delays and cancellations to bus, rail and air travel are likely
    • There is a good chance that some rural communities could become cut off
    • Untreated pavements and cycle paths likely to be impassable

  17. BBC Weather Watchers capturing the cold

    BBC Weather Watchers have been sending us in their pictures of the UK's Arctic conditions - here's a selection from the past day.

    A dog standing in a snow covered fieldBBC Weather Watchers / Little Leo

    Leo the dog doesn't appear to be too put off by the snow in Kirklees, West Yorkshire

    A car windshield covered in iceBBC Weather Watchers / Juniperbeddy

    It was frosty overnight in Suffolk - a scene many vehicle owners will likely experience this morning

    A clear but cold night pictured inBBC Weather Watchers / Nadezna

    A clear but cold night pictured in Penarth, south-east Wales

    A frosty path in CornwallBBC Weather Watchers / AJ

    A frosty path in the Bissoe Valley in Cornwall

  18. Heavy snow and icy rain on the way

    Emily McGarvey
    Live page editor

    A car drives through snow in Balerno, Edinburgh. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has issued cold weather health alerts for all of England ahead of a week of low temperatures. Amber alerts have been issued from 12pm on Thursday until January 8, meaning a rise in deaths, particularly among those aged 65 and over or with health conditions, is likely, the UKHSA said. Picture date: Friday January 3, 2025Andrew Milligan/PA Wire

    Snowy conditions in Balerno, Edinburgh, on Friday

    Good morning and welcome back to our live coverage, as many of you will be waking up to cold and frosty conditions across the UK.

    Temperatures as low as -10C were forecast by the Met Office in rural Scotland overnight, and two amber alerts for snow and ice have been issued for parts of Wales and England from this evening.

    Expect some disruption today, as stranded vehicles on the roads, delayed or cancelled rail and air travel, and power cuts are all likely, according to the Met Office.

    The bitter conditions created by an Arctic wind are expected to continue into next week.

    We'll bring you live updates on the forecast, along with any disruption it's causing, right here on our live page. Stay tuned.

  19. Amber warnings for snow with 'hazardous' travel conditions

    Two side-by-side maps of the UK outlining the areas covered by an Amber Weather warning over the weekend. To the left, an area covering most of Wales and parts of the Midlands is highlighted in orange. To the right, northwestern England, parts of northeast England and Yorkshire and the Humber is marked in orange

    Amber warnings for snow and ice have been issued for large areas of England and Wales this weekend.

    Several of those warnings will come into effect tomorrow. Here's a quick summary:

    • A yellow weather warning for iceis currently in place for parts of Scotland, Northern Ireland, Wales, north-west England, Yorkshire and Humber, and the East and West Midlands. This stands until 10:00 GMT on Saturday
    • A separate yellow warning for ice and snow will be in force from 12:00 GMT tomorrow until Sunday night for almost all of Wales and England
    • An amber warning for snow and freezing rain covering most of Wales and central England, including the Midlands and the north-west cities of Liverpool and Manchester, from 18:00 on Saturday to noon on Sunday
    • A warning for snow covering most of northern England including Leeds, Sheffield and the Lake District from 21:00 on Saturday to midnight on Sunday.

    We're pausing our live coverage now, but will be back first thing tomorrow to bring you rolling updates across the weekend.

    In our absence, our main news story will be updated regularly with all the latest news.

    You can also keep up to date with BBC Weather forecasts online and on the app.

    • London and the south east of England are listed under the Met Office's amber warning, but the forecaster explains this is due to the local government areas. For the south east of England, this includes northern parts of Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire - there is no amber warning in London.

  20. Watch: BBC revisits Britain's highest pub where guests were stranded

    After heavy snowfall struck four years ago at Britain’s highest pub, a Friday night out turned into a weekend-long lock-in, when guests found themselves unexpectedly cut off by the wintry conditions.

    Over a weekend, 61 guests found themselves staying for three days - with only tribute band Noasis and kegs of draught ale for company.

    The Tan Hill Inn in the Yorkshire Dales has relied on its experience in December 2021, and tells the BBC’s Danny Savage how they have been stocking up on kindling - and most importantly beer - ahead of this weekend’s snow.

    Watch: Britain's highest pub prepares for snowfall