Severe weather alert: Heavy snow, freezing rain, power cuts expected across UK

Up to 30cm of snowfall is predicted, risking significant disruption to travel, power supplies, and rural communities disruption across UK

Large swathes of the UK are preparing for significant disruption this weekend as the Met Office issues amber weather warnings for heavy snow and freezing rain. The severe conditions are expected to bring stranded vehicles, power outages, and delays or cancellations to rail and air travel.

Forecasters have warned of up to 30cm of snow in some areas, with rural communities facing a “good chance” of being cut off. Temperatures plummeted overnight to minus 5°C in parts of Cheshire and Somerset, just shy of predictions of minus 8°C.

The icy conditions have already had tragic consequences. A seven-month-old baby died in a collision on a Lincolnshire dual carriageway on Thursday night, with police investigating the role of icy roads in the crash.

As temperatures fell well below freezing, Health Secretary Wes Streeting sparked controversy by advising people to turn their heating on, despite government cuts to winter fuel payments for pensioners. Streeting remarked that it was “definitely a weekend to turn the heating on,” prompting backlash from campaigners.

Dennis Reed, director of the pensioner advocacy group Silver Voices, criticized the government for being “in denial” about the impact of its policies. Overnight lows of -8.6°C were recorded in Aberdeenshire, with sub-zero temperatures also reported across Monmouthshire, Dorset, and County Down.

National Highways has urged motorists to travel only if necessary and to pack essential winter supplies, including food, warm clothing, blankets, and a snow shovel. Drivers are advised to plan their journeys carefully, as freezing rain and black ice could create hazardous road conditions.

The UK is also set to experience freezing rain, a rare and disruptive weather phenomenon described as liquid precipitation that freezes on contact with cold surfaces. Professor Liz Bentley of the Royal Meteorological Society warned of significant disruptions, including black ice on roads and weighty ice coatings on trees, power lines, and aircraft.

“It’s like a glazing of ice that can cause serious problems,” Bentley explained. The ice could impact airport runways and even prevent planes from taking off, adding to the weekend’s expected disruptions.

As the UK braces for the bitter weather, authorities are urging vigilance and preparation to minimize the risks posed by these rare and extreme conditions.