An amber weather warning for snow has come into force across parts of north-east England, with blizzard conditions threatening to cut off rural communities and cause widespread travel disruption. The warning covers the North York Moors and surrounding areas from 3am until 9pm on Thursday.
The Met Office warned that up to 25cm of snow could settle on higher ground, with gusty winds creating "occasional blizzard conditions". Rural communities within the amber zone risk becoming cut off, whilst the possibility of lightning poses an additional hazard.
Motorists already faced treacherous conditions on Wednesday night. North Yorkshire Police urged drivers to avoid the A171 near Whitby, where several vehicles became stuck in the snow. Officers also closed the A169 between Whitby and Pickering amid heavy snow.
Five separate yellow warnings for snow and ice remain in place across the country on Thursday, covering the coasts of north-east England, Cornwall, Devon and western Wales until 11:59pm. Wintry showers will continue to hit coastal areas, filtering inland.
Met Office meteorologist Greg Dewhurst said: «Thursday will be a sunny day for most, but there will be further sleet and snow showers for coastal stretches which will filter a little inland too. Heavy across north-east England in particular. The highest snowfall totals from Wednesday night through Thursday will likely be across the Sperrins, North Yorkshire Moors, Northwest Highlands, Grampians and upland Pembrokeshire.»
Arctic blast brings bitter cold
Cold Arctic air continues to grip the country, bringing the first significant cold snap of autumn. Temperatures could plunge to -6C in rural northern areas overnight on Thursday, with even colder conditions expected on Friday.
Met Office Chief Forecaster Neil Armstrong explained: «Cold Arctic air from the north is firmly in charge of the UK's weather, bringing the first notable cold snap of this autumn and giving an early taste of winter weather.»
The forecaster warned that Friday could see temperatures drop as low as -12C in areas of lying snow in Scotland. Widespread frosts are expected across the country.
Travel chaos expected to continue
National Rail urged commuters to check their journeys before travelling, warning that speed restrictions may be implemented for trains to run safely. This could result in cancellations, alterations and delays to services.
Shaun Jones, AA Expert Patrol, advised drivers to exercise extreme caution: «When snow and ice hit, the roads can quickly become treacherous. Stopping distances can increase tenfold on icy surfaces, so slowing down and leaving plenty of space is absolutely vital. Drivers should plan ahead, stick to main routes and allow extra time for their journey.»
The Met Office warned that persisting snow in the North East could cause "substantial disruption" throughout Thursday.
Temperatures will begin to rise closer to seasonal averages by the weekend, bringing wetter and windier weather. However, the forecaster noted this would not be as "exceptionally mild" as conditions earlier in November.
Note: This article was created with Artificial Intelligence (AI).
