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Sudden shift -

Across the UK, sudden freezing temperatures and snowfall have caused travel disruptions.

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Conditions -

Weather forecasters are warning that conditions may cause power cuts, road closures, and limited access to rural areas.

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Temperature drop -

Across the United Kingdom, temperatures fell to between -1°C (30.2°F) and -4°C (24.8°F) on the morning of November 20.

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Arctic maritime air mass -

The cause of the sudden weather change is an Arctic maritime air mass.

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Yellow weather warning -

All the United Kingdom is under yellow weather warnings, as more snow and ice are set to arrive.

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What does it mean? -

What does a yellow warning mean? Likely travel disruptions and dangers pertaining to icy ground.

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Lower than average temperatures -

The coming days are set to bring in lower than average November temperatures, reaching freezing by night.

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London -

For London, average night temperatures for this time of year are around 5°C (41°F). This week, they’ll drop to -2°C (28.4°F).

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New records -

New records have been set as well. On November 18, temperatures reaching -11.2°C (11.84°F) resulted in Scotland experiencing its coldest early winter night since 1998.

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Road conditions -

Rough road conditions caused a bus to end up on its side, as “the first taste of winter” took communities by surprise.

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Travel with essentials -

A Royal Automobile Club spokesperson warned travelers to come prepared, traveling with essentials, such as "a blanket, warm waterproof coat and gloves, sturdy footwear and a charging cable and mobile power bank."

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Transportation services -

In Wales, nearly 15% of transportation services have been disrupted.

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UK Health Security Agency -

In addition, the UK Health Security Agency has also issued an amber cold weather health alert for several regions, warning of impacts to health services.

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Assistance -

With colder weather comes increased costs, and the government will continue offering assistance for fuel bills for those who qualify.

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Access to heat -

Government measures to provide financial assistance are critical to ensure people remain with access to heat during the coldest days.

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More than 220 school closures -

Over 220 schools were closed across the United Kingdom, including some universities.

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Snow kit -

Darren Clark, Severe Weather Resilience Manager for National Highways, urged drivers to pack a “snow kit” in case they get stuck on the roads. This is generally made up of blankets, food, water, and a shovel.

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Up to 12 cm -

Up to 12 cm (4.7 in) of snow was reported in parts of England.

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Warnings will continue -

Given the Arctic air that caused the weather pattern, cold temperatures will likely continue throughout this week, which means warnings will also likely continue until there is significant change.

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Risk -

Vulnerable people, particularly the elderly and ill, are at particular risk when weather changes like these occur.

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Rising costs -

Even with government assistance, rising costs of fuel have made people more cautious about costs, and, therefore, resistant to turning on their heaters.

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Careful consideration -

In conjunction with the rising cost of food, people across the United Kingdom have had to carefully consider where they will spend their money.

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Cold exposure -

By cutting back on heating, vulnerable communities may be exposing themselves to cold temperatures for extended periods of time.

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Impacts on health -

For older people, especially those already managing illnesses or other ailments, cold exposure could have serious impacts on their health.

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Cognitive disorders -

People with dementia or other cognitive disorders may have difficulty perceiving cold temperatures, so they may not communicate their need for heat or other resources.

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Lung issues -

Those with asthma or other lung conditions are also quite vulnerable in cold weather, which can trigger breathing issues.

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Up to 20 cm -

Snow showers that began on November 19 are set to continue throughout this week, with up to 20 cm (7.8 in) of snowfall in some areas.

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Ongoing monitoring -

Local authorities and organizations will continue monitoring the weather conditions, as they are set to worsen in the coming days.

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First taste of winter -

Met Office spokesman Stephen Dixon notes the weather pattern will feel like “that first taste of winter for many, with that snow and ice risk layered on top.”

Sources: (BBC) (The Guardian)

See also: The snowiest places on Earth

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