UK weather: drivers warned of roads becoming ‘ice rinks’ as snow refreezes

Drivers have been warned they face “very treacherous” icy conditions in parts of the UK on Monday after another night of sub-zero temperatures.

A yellow weather warning for ice by the Met Office is in place across much of the north of England until noon on Monday, with further warnings for snow covering eastern Scotland, high ground in Wales and the Peak District until the same time.

Overnight temperatures, which dipped to around or below freezing in many of the affected areas, were expected to cause icy patches on untreated surfaces due to thawed snow refreezing.

RAC Breakdown spokesperson Simon Williams said northern parts of the country could be facing an “ice rink Monday as snow refreezes overnight”.

He said: “We’re expecting some very treacherous icy conditions in northern parts, so those who have to drive should exercise great caution. If it’s possible to delay or even abandon journeys that may well be the best option.

“Those who decide to drive should leave extra space behind the vehicle in front, reduce their speeds to give plenty of time to stop.

“Before setting out, it’s important to allow more time to deice and demist vehicles thoroughly.”

ScotRail advised passengers to check their journeys before leaving home.

The Met Office has also issued a yellow warning for heavy rain creating disruption to travel across parts of southern England, south-east Wales and into the Midlands, which will last until 6pm.

The warning was extended west on Monday to include more of Devon and Somerset.

Electricity North West said it was making hot food available at Greenodd Service Station in Ulverston on Monday morning for customers who remained without power.

On Sunday evening, they said 1,500 properties in Cumbria were without electricity after power cuts followed heavy snow.

The electricity network operator said it had restored power to 7,500 homes, adding that “access continues to be a major issue and even specialist 4x4 vehicles cannot reach all sites” with equipment for repairs being carried on foot in some locations.

It added that Cumbria’s power network had been severely impacted by the snow with more than 35 separate damages to the network reported, including severe damage to miles of overhead lines.

Cumberland council said nearly 40 schools would remain closed on Monday due to the conditions.

The UK Health Security Agency and the Met Office have issued amber cold health alerts in five English regions: the east Midlands, West Midlands, north west, north east and Yorkshire and the Humber, until 5 December, meaning “cold weather impacts are likely to be felt across the whole health service for an extended period of time”.

England and Wales was expected to be largely cloudy outside the warning areas on Monday with outbreaks of rain, some of them turning heavy.

Overnight snow was predicted to be confined largely to north east England and on hills with frost and ice in the north and north west.

The Met Office said rain and hill snow would gradually ease across England and Wales on Tuesday with brighter spells developing. It will be sunnier but cold elsewhere with a few wintry showers in the north east with lighter winds for most.

After frost and fog clears for bright spells on Wednesday, wet and windy weather is expected to arrive from the south west, pushing north and east into Thursday and Friday, with some initial hill snow.