UK weather: Forecasters predict rare freezing rain and snow as ‘danger to life’ warning | UK news | Daily News Byte

New severe weather warnings have been issued for large parts of the UK as forecasters said steady rain and snow could pose a threat to life.

Icy conditions have already caused disruption across the country this weekend, with football matches canceled and horse racing events cancelled.

Yellow warnings for snow Saturday was the place for northern England, northern Scotland and most of Wales.

More yellow warnings for snow, ice and rain have been issued across Britain for Sunday – with a more severe amber warning for snow covering northern England.

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The Met Office said rain and freezing snow would cause disruption, warning that “injuries from slips and falls and danger to life on icy surfaces are possible”.

“Dangerous driving conditions may arise, leading to road traffic collisions, road closures and longer journey times; while pavements and cycle paths may become impassable,” it added in its Amber Alert.

“Bus, train and air travel may be affected by delays and cancellations.

“There is a good chance of power cuts with the possibility of affecting other services such as mobile phone coverage”.

According to the Met Office, freezing rain is rare and does not occur often in the UK.

Rain hits a cold surface and freezes almost immediately, creating shock effects as the raindrop spreads across the surface momentarily before freezing and encasing the surface in a layer of clear ice.

Off football matches and racing events

Freezing temperatures played havoc with sporting fixtures over the weekend, with a League One football match between Cheltenham and Lincoln postponed due to a frozen pitch.

Most League Two matches were also ruled out after inspection, with Leyton Orient and Barrow – just two of 11 – unaffected.

In Scotland, a Premiership game between Livingstone and Dundee United was cancelled, along with a host of Championship, League One and League Two matches.

Races at Lingfield and Chelmsford were abandoned early on Saturday, leaving an empty day of racing in Britain and Ireland following earlier postponements including high-profile jumps meetings at Ascot and Haddock.

Snow forecast

A level three cold weather alert has been issued by the UK Health Security Agency, covering the whole of England until midnight on Sunday.

It warned that the weather could “increase health risks for vulnerable patients and disrupt the delivery of services”.

Forecasters say temperatures may rise temporarily on Sunday but this will bring snow, sleet and high winds leading to sleet and freezing rain, creating hazardous conditions on the roads.

Met Office deputy chief forecaster Helen Cogge said: “As the mild air meets the cold air currently in place across the UK, there will be intermittent snow showers, possibly at low levels, particularly in the north.

“This includes the risk of rain falling on frozen surfaces and strong winds over upper parts of northern Britain, bringing blizzard conditions, and this may be a day to avoid traveling in some areas, although the snow should turn to rain later.

“It is likely to affect areas north of the Pennines, which could result in some power disruptions.”

Ms Caughey said cooler temperatures were likely to return next week but it was too early to say whether there would be a white Christmas.

Risk of burst water pipes – London street flooding

Water UK, which represents water companies, advised that rising temperatures could lead to burst pipes.

His warning came as homes were evacuated after a street flooded in the London borough of Camden, north London.

London Fire Brigade said around 60 firefighters were called to Belsize Road near Swiss Cottage at 2.50am on Saturday after a 42in water main burst.

The brigade said multiple homes were flooded and firefighters had to evacuate about 20 residents to safety.

Cody Dolsey-Grant, who lives in the area, said she woke up to scenes “like the River Thames” outside her home.