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| More Arctic temperatures to come | More Arctic temperatures to come |
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| The New Year Arctic weather has brought sub-zero temperatures and disruption to many parts of the UK, and more freezing conditions are expected overnight. | The New Year Arctic weather has brought sub-zero temperatures and disruption to many parts of the UK, and more freezing conditions are expected overnight. |
| Roads and schools have been affected, and Birmingham airport was forced to suspend flights for 90 minutes. | Roads and schools have been affected, and Birmingham airport was forced to suspend flights for 90 minutes. |
| Temperatures in some areas had plummeted as low as -8C, and were expected to hit -10C overnight, BBC weather forecaster Peter Gibbs said. | |
| Pensioners have been warned to take extra precautions to stay warm. | Pensioners have been warned to take extra precautions to stay warm. |
| Parts of northern Scotland experienced the lowest temperatures on Sunday night, hitting -8C, while parts of Oxfordshire saw -7C and Wales and south-east England recorded -5C. | Parts of northern Scotland experienced the lowest temperatures on Sunday night, hitting -8C, while parts of Oxfordshire saw -7C and Wales and south-east England recorded -5C. |
| "It felt particularly cold across England and Wales because of the strong wind from the north east - Arctic air originating from Russia and Scandinavia," said Mr Gibbs. | "It felt particularly cold across England and Wales because of the strong wind from the north east - Arctic air originating from Russia and Scandinavia," said Mr Gibbs. |
| Breakdowns | Breakdowns |
| Flights were suspended at Birmingham International Airport early on Monday, but the runway has since reopened. | Flights were suspended at Birmingham International Airport early on Monday, but the runway has since reopened. |
| In Wales, a number of roads and schools were affected, with the drop in temperatures also seeing a rise in the number of people treated in hospitals for falls on ice. | In Wales, a number of roads and schools were affected, with the drop in temperatures also seeing a rise in the number of people treated in hospitals for falls on ice. |
| Schools in Kent and Gloucestershire were also closed. | Schools in Kent and Gloucestershire were also closed. |
| Meanwhile, in Lincolnshire a 30-year-old woman was killed when her car ended up in the path of a train at a level crossing during the icy conditions. | Meanwhile, in Lincolnshire a 30-year-old woman was killed when her car ended up in the path of a train at a level crossing during the icy conditions. |
| With predictions of more snow and freezing temperatures this week we are urging vulnerable older people... to take extra precautions to stay warm Gordon LishmanAge Concern | With predictions of more snow and freezing temperatures this week we are urging vulnerable older people... to take extra precautions to stay warm Gordon LishmanAge Concern |
| The AA said it was expecting to be called to more than 20,000 motoring breakdowns by the end of Monday. | The AA said it was expecting to be called to more than 20,000 motoring breakdowns by the end of Monday. |
| "The cold weather has combined with the return to work and schools making it a very busy day - most of the extra workload is home starts with flat batteries being the most common call-out," an AA spokesman said. | "The cold weather has combined with the return to work and schools making it a very busy day - most of the extra workload is home starts with flat batteries being the most common call-out," an AA spokesman said. |
| But it is expected to get even colder on Monday night, according to forecasters, with temperatures hitting -9C and minus 10C in some places. | But it is expected to get even colder on Monday night, according to forecasters, with temperatures hitting -9C and minus 10C in some places. |
| The Met Office has issued an advance weather warning for parts of south-east England, with icy conditions expected. | The Met Office has issued an advance weather warning for parts of south-east England, with icy conditions expected. |
| But the Welsh Valleys, the West Midlands and north-west England will also be badly affected, the BBC Weather Centre said. | But the Welsh Valleys, the West Midlands and north-west England will also be badly affected, the BBC Weather Centre said. |
| Warmer temperatures | Warmer temperatures |
| Pensioners have been advised to take extra precautions to stay warm during the icy spell. | Pensioners have been advised to take extra precautions to stay warm during the icy spell. |
| Age Concern's director general, Gordon Lishman, said: "With predictions of more snow and freezing temperatures this week we are urging vulnerable older people, who are more susceptible to the cold, to take extra precautions to stay warm and keep active." | Age Concern's director general, Gordon Lishman, said: "With predictions of more snow and freezing temperatures this week we are urging vulnerable older people, who are more susceptible to the cold, to take extra precautions to stay warm and keep active." |
| Although some of the poorest pensioners were struggling to afford essentials like food and heating, £5 billion of benefits were still going unclaimed, he added. | Although some of the poorest pensioners were struggling to afford essentials like food and heating, £5 billion of benefits were still going unclaimed, he added. |
| The current cold period is expected to ease later in the week. | The current cold period is expected to ease later in the week. |
| The BBC Weather Centre said Scotland would experience a milder day on Tuesday, with the cloudier weather then spreading to the rest of the UK. | The BBC Weather Centre said Scotland would experience a milder day on Tuesday, with the cloudier weather then spreading to the rest of the UK. |
| "It will get less cold," said Mr Gibbs. "By the end of the week we will reach 4C to 6C - but still below average for most of us." | "It will get less cold," said Mr Gibbs. "By the end of the week we will reach 4C to 6C - but still below average for most of us." |
| Pensioners worried about high energy bills can call Age Concern's free helpline on 0800 00 99 66 for advice. | Pensioners worried about high energy bills can call Age Concern's free helpline on 0800 00 99 66 for advice. |