A YELLOW weather warning for lightning and snow has been issued for much of Scotland and Northern Ireland after many schoold were forced to close.
Storm Gladys has swept in, just days after deadly Eunice and Franklin.
Commuters are facing difficult conditions and many schools have opted to close as a result of the snow, with more forecast today.
Some schools within Angus and Fife as well as the highland have closed today and look set to close tomorrow as the Met Office have released further warnings.
The Met Office has warned of the possibility of 10 to 20cm of snow on higher ground, along with strong blustery winds and a chance of showers that could be accompanied by frequent lightning.
Read our weather live blog for the latest on Storm Eunice…
- Louis Allwood
Cardiff facing some calmer weather
A colder day with sunny spells and scattered showers, these wintry across Snowdonia and the Brecon Beacons at times.
Brisk winds will make it feel even colder with maximum temperatures of 7 °C.
Showers will fade into the evening and winds will ease.
Some clear spells will develop particularly to the east of the country with minimum temperatures of 1 °C.
- Louis Allwood
Drivers warned to be careful
A second warning for snow and ice has been issued – stretching from the north of Scotland to Manchester.
Drivers are urged to watch out for icy patches on some untreated roads in the affected area.
The Environment Agency (EA) said people living in parts of the West Midlands and Yorkshire – especially those along the Rivers Severn, Aire and Ouse – should prepare for significant flooding following high rainfall from Storm Franklin.
- Louis Allwood
Schools in Northern Ireland unable to open
Schools in various parts of Northern Ireland were unable to open on Thursday morning due to the snow, after the area was blanketed overnight.
Counties Fermanagh, Tyrone, Londonderry and Antrim were worst hit by the wintry conditions.
People in Belfast also woke up to snowy scenes on Thursday morning.
- Louis Allwood
Schools close in Scotland
SEVERAL schools are closed today after heavy snow blasted Scotland overnight.
Storm Gladys has swept in, just days after deadly Eunice and Franklin.
Commuters are facing difficult conditions and many schools have opted to close as a result of the snow, with more forecast today.
Some schools within Angus and Fife as well as the highland have closed today and look set to close tomorrow as the Met Office have released further warnings.
Many schools within Perth & Kinross have also closed.
- Louis Allwood
What to expect from tonight's warnings
- Probably icy patches on some untreated roads, pavements and cycle paths, leading to an increased chance of accidents and injuries
- Some roads, and possibly railways, could be affected by longer journey times, particularly those roads crossing higher ground
Further yellow warnings in place for over night
Further areas of rain, sleet and hail, with snow mainly at elevations above around 200-300 metres, are likely to affect many areas this evening.
These will be heavy in places, perhaps bringing 2-5 cm of snow to some of the higher routes across the Pennines and Scotland.
Beyond midnight, showers will become less widespread and will fall increasingly as rain or sleet away from some higher routes and parts of northern Scotland.
However as temperatures fall, icy stretches are possible more widely, especially on untreated surfaces.
Significant flooding is expected
Katharine Smith, flood duty manager at the EA, said significant river flooding is expected in the coming days as she advised people to stay away from swollen rivers.
She said: "We are still facing a significant flooding risk, and we are urging people to remain vigilant and take extreme care.
"Heavy rain, affecting already wet areas, is likely to cause significant river flooding along the River Severn over the next few days.
"So far we have received reports of around 400 properties having flooded over the past few days. Our thoughts go out to all those affected – flooding can and does have a devastating impact on people's lives.
"We have teams out on the ground taking preventative action, closing flood gates, deploying temporary barriers and moving pumps and other response equipment to areas of highest risk. Environment Agency defences have protected more than 40,000 properties despite record river levels.
"We advise people to stay away from swollen rivers and not to drive through flood water as just 30cm of flowing water is enough to move your car."
1.4 million households were left without power
Storms Dudley, Eunice and Franklin left 1.4 million households without power, some for up to 72 hours, and dozens of properties near the River Severn were evacuated.
One severe flood warning, meaning there is a danger to life, has been issued for the River Severn at Wribbenhall, Bewdley, where levels could overtop the defences, the agency said.
Around 400 properties have flooded across different parts of the country as a result of the heavy rain.
Environment Secretary George Eustice said 40,000 homes had been protected by flood defences, as he was quizzed on flooding and the lack of permanent defences on the River Severn at the National Farmers' Union conference.
Snow and lighting to hit the UK today
Eight inches of snow is set to fall today as strong gales and lightning strikes whip Britain.
Yellow weather warnings are in place for rare thundersnow across most of Scotland and Northern Ireland – with Brits told to expect both lightening and flakes.
After temperatures plunged overnight, "gusty winds", heavy snowfall and lighting will make driving difficult, the Met Office warns.
Higher regions will see up to 7.8 inches of snow in the latest weather spell – with lower levels blanketed in 2.8 inches.
- Milica Cosic
UK weather outlook for Saturday and Sunday
Saturday will be fine and dry with lots of sunshine across England and Wales. Scotland and Northern Ireland will be cloudy with a few showers.
There will be some early spells of sunshine on Sunday however a band of cloud and outbreaks of rain will push eastwards during the day and may be wintry.
- Milica Cosic
Tomorrow's weather (Friday)
Any early wintry showers will clear during the morning.
It will then be fine during the day as it will be dry and bright with long spells of winter sunshine and just some patchy fair-weather cloud cover around.
Thick cloud cover will build across Northern Ireland and Scotland during the afternoon.
- Milica Cosic
Tonight's weather
Daytime wintry showers will continue across northern and western areas during the evening but will tend to turn increasingly light and patchy.
Overnight will then be mainly dry with long clear spells and variable amounts of patchy cloud cover. Wintry showers will ease and largely clear by dawn.
- Milica Cosic
Thunderstorm warnings in place
Yellow weather warnings are in place for the rare occurrence, which only occurs a handful of times a year in Britain.
The warnings are in place for most of Scotland and Northern Ireland covering today.
The regions affected include Central, Tayside and Fife, Lothian Borders, South West Scotland, Highlands and Eilean Siar and Strathclyde.
- Milica Cosic
Why are flight delays more likely in winter?
Fog, snow, ice and crosswinds mean that air traffic controllers have to increase the gap between planes that are landing, reducing the number of aircraft that an airport can manage.
The same weather can make it slower and more difficult for the planes to taxi between runway and terminal building. As many commercial flights are cruising more than five miles above the ground, they can be affected by different weather than we are experiencing on the ground.
Safety is always the first consideration for the aviation industry. An aircraft that’s stood overnight in freezing weather will need de-icing before its first flight in the morning.
That’s a fairly big task for one plane but imagine the task at Heathrow on a snowy January morning. At the same time there are miles of taxiways and runways to clear.
Then think about the people who do this work getting to the airport – the same snow and ice are probably affecting the roads and railways.
- Joseph Gamp
In pictures: Search & rescue operations in Bewdley, Worcestershire
In the image below, search and rescue teams check on residents in Bewdley, in Worcestershire.
Floodwater from the River Severn yesterday breached the town's flood defences following high rainfall after Storm Franklin.
Elsewhere on the river a severe flood warning, meaning there is a danger to life, has been issued at the Wharfage in Ironbridge.
Credit: PA
- Joseph Gamp
Met Office short summary for today
Rain and sleet clearing the southeast, then windy with sunny intervals and blustery wintry showers, with further snow accumulating over hills and briefly at lower levels in the north.
- Joseph Gamp
What to expect from tomorrow’s weather warnings
Frequent heavy snow showers are expected, along with very gusty winds and a chance of frequent lightning affecting some places.
Brits living in areas covered by the warning can expect:
- There is a small chance of longer journey times or cancellations as road, rail, air and ferry services are affected. There is also a chance some vehicles and passengers could become stranded.
- There is a slight chance that power cuts may occur, with the potential to affect other services, such as mobile phone coverage
- There is a slight chance that some rural communities could become cut off
- A small chance of injuries and danger to life from lightning strikes
- Where lightning strikes occur, there is a small chance that building/structures could be damaged
Residents in flood-hit areas face anxious wait for river levels to peak
Residents in flooded areas are facing an anxious wait for river levels to peak.
In Bewdley, Worcestershire, fire and rescue crews were out checking properties and speaking to residents on Wednesday morning after flood defences were breached following heavy rainfall on Tuesday afternoon.
The River Severn is expected to peak in the town on Wednesday afternoon and a severe flood warning, meaning a danger to life, remains in place.
Meanwhile, the Met Office issued yellow warnings for wind and snow across parts of northern England, Scotland and Northern Ireland on Wednesday.
In Ironbridge, Shropshire, the River Severn peaked on Wednesday morning and levels began to fall but a severe flood warning remains in place amid fears the barriers could break.
A spokesman for Telford and Wrekin Council said: “Water levels peaked during the night at 6.6m but are now slowly retreating. Water levels are still high against the barriers, so the Wharfage remains closed to vehicles and pedestrians.”
RAC: Lives were saved by drivers staying home during Eunice
Millions of drivers heeded warnings to stay off the roads when Storm Eunice hit, new figures show.
The RAC said “lives were saved” as the Department for Transport revealed that car traffic in Britain fell to 69% of pre-coronavirus pandemic levels on Friday February 18, down from 91% during the previous day.
Strong winds caused by Storm Eunice caused dangerous conditions on the roads, with three people killed in incidents involving fallen trees and other debris.
Several major road bridges were closed, including both crossings over the River Severn between England and Wales, and the Queen Elizabeth II bridge, which is part of the Dartford Crossing linking Essex and Kent.
RAC spokesman Simon Williams believes the reduction in traffic limited the number of fatalities.
He said: “These statistics show that lives were saved as millions of motorists heeded the warnings to only drive if absolutely essential.
“It seems like all the developments around working from home in the pandemic made a massive difference in an extreme weather event like Storm Eunice as many employees clearly were able to stay off the road and continue being productive away from their workplaces.”
UK weather outlook for Friday and Saturday
Early showers on Friday will soon clear. It will then be fine and dry with long spells of winter sunshine and just some patchy cloud cover.
Saturday will be mostly dry and sunny across England and Wales however cloud will build across Scotland and Northern Ireland bringing spots of rain and drizzle.
Snow warning in place until this afternoon
The Met Office has warned that even low levels in some areas can expect up to 10cm of the white stuff while wild weather continues to hammer the UK.
Met Office meteorologist Mark Wilson said a snow warning is in place for parts of Scotland and Northern Ireland from 1pm yesterday until 3pm today.
Up to 10cm of snow is expected at low levels, rising to 30cm on higher ground in Scotland where blizzards are on the cards.
- Joseph Gamp
The O2 ‘could be closed for MONTHS’
THE O2 could be closed for months as gigs at the venue are postponed after Storm Eunice ripped its domed roof to shreds.
The tempest has wrought devastation around the country today with record 122mph winds.
Around 1,000 people were evacuated from the arena in London as firefighters rushed to reports the roof had partially collapsed.
Employees now say the venue, which houses dozens of bars and restaurants, a shopping centre and a massive live music venue, could be closed for months while repairs are made.
One told the Mirror the roof over the shops “was whipped off” with a “huge whooshing sound”.
Another said they understood at least part of the building will be shut for weeks to come.
- Joseph Gamp
‘Severe gales through to March’
A Met Office forecaster says Brits across the country should prepare for the gloomy weather.
He said: “Monday has early snow crossing northern areas and gales.
“Tuesday to Thursday will be often windy, with a mix of rain, sleet and snow showers on Thursday.
“Gales or severe gales will be possible almost anywhere through the period to March 5, and especially in the North.
“The first half of March is likely to be a continuation of changeable conditions, with winds remaining strong across the North and southern areas less windy.”
- Joseph Gamp
Temperatures expected to drop
A Met Office spokesman has said that over the next few days: “Temperatures across Scotland and Northern Ireland are expected to drop sharply following a squally band of rain on Wednesday, with frequent heavy and blustery snow showers arriving from the Atlantic.
“The showers will be accompanied by strong, blustery winds, with gusts of 50-60 mph possible, and a small chance of 70 mph on coasts.
“Blizzard conditions are likely over higher ground.
“Snow showers are increasingly likely to turn back to rain and sleet at low levels later Thursday morning and early afternoon, although remaining as snow above 200-300m.”
- Joseph Gamp
UK weather outlook for Thursday and Friday
Early rain across England and Wales will clear south-eastwards during the morning on Thursday to reveal sunny spells and a chance of showers, some wintry.
Any early showers on Friday will soon clear.
It will then be fine as it will be dry and bright with long spells of winter sunshine expected.
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