Severe snowstorms and travel disruption are predicted on Thursday (Picture: @PuparazziScot/Metro.co.uk)
Some Brits are waking up to a sprinkling of snow – but forecasters have warned more dramatic scenes will emerge today.
Spots in the West and East Midlands, Wales and Scotland are reporting white coverings this morning after temperatures fell to below zero overnight.
It comes after an Arctic blast blanketed the country with heavy snow early on Wednesday.
But conditions will become progressively worse today, with severe snowstorms and travel disruption predicted by The Met Office.
An amber warning has been issued for ‘strong winds bringing blizzard conditions’ and up to 40cm of snow to the area stretching from Stoke-on-Trent to Durham.
Rain showers will appear on-and-off over southern England today, before turning into snow and spreading north to central parts of the UK.
On Friday, snow will clear in the East of England, although snow showers are expected to persist in northern Scotland.
‘Significant disruption’ to transport, power lines and phone network coverage is likely, as the amber weather warning lasts for 21 hours from 3pm on Thursday.
Snow covers houses in Bo’ness, Scotland this morning (Picture: Twitter/@PuparazziScot)
Thick snow in a garden in Leicester early on Thursday (Picture: Annie Brookes)
Spots in the West and East Midlands were a winter wonderland this morning (Picture: Annie Brookes)
An Amber weather warning has been issued along with a number of Yellow warnings (Picture: Metro.co.uk)
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Several milder yellow weather warnings for snow have also been issued, covering much of the nation until Friday.
A yellow warning for snow and ice covers northern Scotland until 10am today, along with central and southern areas of England and Wales until 7am.
A separate warning for snow and ice covers north-east England and south-east Scotland until 7am.
A fourth yellow warning for snow covers all of the UK north of Birmingham, spanning from 7am on Thursday until 2pm on Friday.
It comes after The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) placed all regions of England under a level 3 cold weather alert.
Experts have now extended the warning until 9am on Monday 13 March.
The cold weather could have a ‘serious impact’ on people’s health, particularly the elderly, Agostinho Sousa, a consultant at UKHSA, cautioned.
Rooks search for food in a snow covered field on March 08, 2023 in Meopham (Picture: Getty Images Europe)
Cars stuck on Lydeard Hill near Cothelston on Wednesday morning (Picture: Paul Silvers/BNPS)
Drivers in the West Midlands and the East of England have been told not to travel unless their journey is essential by National Highways.
RAC Breakdown has reported ‘an increase in breakdowns’ in a zone stretching west from London along the M4 corridor and into Wales.
Warning new drivers to take particular care, Rod Dennis, from RAC, said: ‘Even a little snow and ice can make roads treacherous, so we’re advising everyone who does set out to proceed extremely cautiously.’
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Severe snowstorms and travel disruption are predicted on Thursday.