This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2017/dec/08/snow-blankets-uk-storm-caroline-arctic-chill

The article has changed 10 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 2 Version 3
Snow blankets parts of UK as Storm Caroline leaves Arctic chill Snow blankets parts of UK as Storm Caroline leaves Arctic chill
(about 2 hours later)
Parts of Britain have woken up to a blanket of snow as forecasters warned up to 20cm (8in) could fall in some places. Councils have urged residents to look after vulnerable people in their communities after swaths of the UK woke to a blanket of snow on Friday morning.
Storm Caroline, which brought 90mph winds to parts of northern Scotland, left an Arctic airflow in its wake, with temperatures plunging across the UK. The Met Office has issued weather warnings to last until late Sunday, predicting that up to 20cm (8in) of snow could fall in some places as Storm Caroline leaves an Arctic airflow in its wake.
About 8cm of snow had fallen in Aviemore, the Highlands, by dawn on Friday, while parts of Northern Ireland, Wales and areas to the west of the Pennines had also been blanketed. Forecasters predict heavy snow showers on Sunday and say cold temperatures are likely to remain well into next week.
Forecasters said snow showers were likely to become more widespread throughout the day. A yellow weather warning was in place for ice and snow across much of Scotland, Northern Ireland, Wales and parts of northern and western England. The Met Office warned that some rural communities could be cut off, with possible delays and cancellations to rail and air travel.
A Met Office meteorologist, John West, said: “We saw a fairly consistent stream of snow showers overnight, and there will be a constant feed throughout the day and into Friday. About 8cm of snow had fallen in Aviemore, the Highlands, by dawn on Friday, while parts of Northern Ireland, Wales and areas to the west of the Pennines were also blanketed.
“We could see some fairly significant accumulations. Broadly speaking we’re looking at 2-5cm, but in more exposed areas we could see 10-20cm. Schools across Northern Ireland, Wales, Scotland and the Isle of Man were closed, and around 500 homes in Scotland have suffered power cuts.
“It will also be bitterly cold, with highs of 2C or 3C outside those snow showers. But the wind chill is going to make it feel subzero.” A yellow weather warning for ice and snow – set to last through Saturday – remained in place on Friday for parts of Scotland, Northern Ireland, Wales, northern England and the Midlands.
Cold temperatures are likely to remain well into next week, with forecasters also warning there could be heavy snow showers on Sunday. A more serious amber warning for Sunday has been issued for large parts of Wales, the Midlands and northern England, alongside a yellow warning for strong winds in the south.
A yellow weather warning for snow has been issued for central parts of the UK from 4am on Sunday until just before midnight. The Local Government Association urged households to show extra vigilance and ensure vulnerable friends, neighbours and relatives were safe as the cold weather closes in.
The wintry weather comes after Caroline left thousands of homes in Scotland without power on Thursday. In addition to the 1.5m tonnes of salt that councils have stockpiled in preparation for this winter, the LGA said they would send out local teams to assist the elderly and vulnerable in their communities, delivering hot meals, carrying out emergency household repairs and providing heating.
Many train services were suspended or delayed as a result of the weather conditions and ferry services were disrupted. Some flights in the Western Isles were cancelled. Councillor Martin Tett, the LGA’s transport spokesman, said: “Whether it’s a quick knock at the door to check on an elderly neighbour, or helping carry out emergency repairs, everyone has a role to play to keep each other safe this winter.
Very strong winds were expected to continue through Friday with gusts of 70-80mph, especially over Shetland. “Planning for winter remains a key priority for councils, despite ongoing funding pressures and competing demands on their limited resources. Across the country, local authorities have taken the steps necessary to protect their residents from floods, ice, and wintry conditions.”
Some schools were shut in the Highlands for a second day. Met Office meteorologist John West said the country had seen “a fairly consistent stream of snow showers overnight”, and that there would be “a constant feed” throughout Friday.
“We could see some fairly significant accumulations. Broadly speaking we’re looking at 2-5cm, but in more exposed areas we could see 10-20cm,” he said. “It will also be bitterly cold, with highs of 2C or 3C outside those snow showers. But the wind chill is going to make it feel subzero.”