Drivers warned they face ‘ice rink Monday’ after night of freezing conditions

Drivers have been warned they face “very treacherous icy conditions” in parts of the UK after another night of sub-zero temperatures causing thawed snow to refreeze on untreated surfaces.

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

Chilly conditions caused by bitter winds sweeping in from Scandinavia will continue and Met Office has extended yellow weather warnings for snow and ice until 12pm in some parts.

Some areas, like the Peak District and the Midlands, are predicted to be blanketed by up to 20cm of snow by the end of the day.

Yellow warning for rain have also been issued for parts of the South West, and the Met Office has warned that “flooding of a few homes and businesses” is possible until 6pm.

The UK Health Security Agency and the Met Office have issued amber cold health alerts in five regions, including the North East and Yorkshire, until 5 December.

The alerts mean “cold weather impacts are likely to be felt across the whole health service for an extended period of time”.

But forecasters say temperatures will rise as the week progresses – thanks to warm winds sweeping across the country northwards from the Atlantic Ocean – and instead of snow, most areas will face wet and windy weather.

In the north and Scotland, colder air is expected to linger and there is tipped to be widespread frosts and hill snow.

But by the end of the week, it is thought there will only be a risk of snow on higher ground in northern Scotland, and most of the country will experience rain and wind.

Met Office Chief Meteorologist Jason Kelly said: “The first Atlantic airmass for a while is making some inroads across southern and central parts of the country bringing less cold conditions to many southern areas whilst the cold airmass continues to hold on in the north.”

Yesterday, more than 2,500 people in Cumbria were without electricity, after snowfall brought down trees and stranded hundreds.

Flights at Stansted Airport were cancelled and delayed with passengers have told to “allow extra travel time” as their teams work to “keep everyone safe and informed”.

The Met Office said on Saturday night minus 12.5C was recorded in Altnaharra in Scotland’s Highland – the coldest temperature recorded in Britain since last winter.

The weather service has warned there are likely be injuries from “slips and falls on icy surfaces”.

The Met Office’s forecast for this week

Today
Cloudy with further heavy rain for England and Wales with snow over the hills. Drier and brighter in Northern Ireland and western Scotland, with wintry showers further east.

Tuesday to Thursday
Rain clearing on Tuesday to leave a dry, cold, end to the day with an overnight frost. Cloud and rain spreading eastwards later Wednesday into Thursday and slowly turning milder.