Met Office places three yellow warnings for snow and ice in place across areas of UK
As snow falls across the UK, charity Age UK has said it is worried that the loss of the winter fuel payment had caused many older people to be “extra fearful” about turning on their heating this winter.
Caroline Abrahams, director at the charity, said:
With high energy bills and food prices it is understandable that some may think they have to cut back on food and turn their heating off, but prolonged exposure to cold temperatures can have a serious impact on an older person’s health, especially if they are already trying to manage existing illnesses.
Snow and hail showers will affect northern parts of Scotland at times, becoming heavier and more frequent…through much of Tuesday and then overnight into Wednesday morning. 2 to 5 cm of snow is likely to accumulate quite widely, with up to 10 cm in some places by the end of Tuesday, and perhaps 15 to 20 cm accumulating above 300 metres.
The most likely scenario is for most of the snow to accumulate on hills, with 5 to 10 cm possible above 200 metres and perhaps as much as 15 to 20 cm above 300 metres. There is a chance of snow settling at lower levels, where 5 to 10 cm would prove much more disruptive – this remains uncertain, but seems most likely across parts of Derbyshire. As rain, sleet and snow clears from the north of the warning area by early Tuesday morning, ice may form on untreated surfaces.
Snow is expected on high ground above 200 to 300 metres, where several cm snowfall is likely, and perhaps 5 to 10 cm across the higher parts of the Sperrins and Mournes. Settling snow looks unlikely on low ground. However, as skies clear overnight, temperatures will fall widely below freezing with ice forming on untreated surfaces. This will lead to difficult travelling conditions.
