Snow and ice warnings continue to grip large swathes of the UK on Tuesday, following a day of travel chaos and hundreds of school closures due to heavy snowfall . The Met Office has cautioned that temperatures could plummet to a bone-chilling -12C overnight.
Yellow warnings for snow and ice blanket all of Scotland and much of northern England, with additional alerts in place for the east of England, west of Wales, Devon, and Cornwall. Northern Ireland is also bracing for icy conditions, with warnings extending through Tuesday morning.
The Met Office has warned that central and northern Scotland could be disrupted by snow until Tuesday evening. As temperatures continue to drop, the risk of travel disruption and further school closures remains high.
Experts urge Britons to stay home and “waddle like a penguin”
According to the Telegraph, in light of the treacherous conditions, Adam Stachura, policy director at Age Scotland, has urged people to stay at home where possible. “With such cold temperatures and icy conditions ahead, try and make sure you have enough food and any important medications at home to reduce the need for unnecessary and potentially risky trips,” he said, emphasizing the importance of this advice for those with mobility challenges or unsteady on their feet.
The NHS has offered an unusual piece of advice to help people stay safe on icy pavements: “waddle like a penguin”. NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde explained, “Walking like a penguin helps keep your centre of gravity over your feet, reducing the risk of falls that can lead to serious injuries.”
Laura Halcrow, falls prevention lead, added, “It might look funny, but waddling really works,” warning that slipping on ice was particularly dangerous for older people.
Record low temperatures recorded across the UK
The Met Office reported that the lowest temperatures recorded overnight into Monday were -10.9C in Shap, Cumbria, -10.3C in Sennybridge, Powys, and -9.9C in Bala, Gwynedd. Loch Glascarnoch in the Scottish Highlands saw a staggering 34cm of snow, while Dyce in Aberdeenshire and Altnaharra, Sutherland, recorded 27cm.
Health agency issues amber cold alert as temperatures plummet
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has issued an amber cold health alert, warning that the freezing temperatures could have serious health implications. Agostinho Sousa, head of extreme events and health protection at UKHSA, urged people to check in on vulnerable friends, family, and neighbours.
“The forecast temperatures can have a serious impact on the health of some people, leading to increased risk of heart attacks, strokes and chest infections, particularly for individuals over the age of 65 and those with pre-existing health conditions,” he said.
Milder conditions on the horizon, but cold snap to persist
Looking ahead, temperatures are set to improve slightly, with most of England remaining above 0C by Wednesday night. However, some isolated locations in Scotland, such as Lairg, could still see temperatures drop to -6C.
Met Office chief meteorologist Matthew Lehnert said that while milder air will “make attempts to spread eastward from Tuesday”, the cold snap is not over yet. “This will mean rain becomes more likely in the south, but there is also the possibility of more organised snow along the boundary of the mild and cold air masses. Strong winds could also be a feature later in the week,” he warned.