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 http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2014/dec/29/icy-conditions-continue-uk-coldest-night-year

The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 2 Version 3
Driver killed as UK temperatures drop to lowest of year Driver killed as UK temperatures drop to lowest of year
(35 minutes later)
A driver has died after his car left an icy road and hit a tree as temperatures plummeted to the lowest of the year.A driver has died after his car left an icy road and hit a tree as temperatures plummeted to the lowest of the year.
Police said the local man, who was at the wheel of a Land Rover Defender, was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash near Horam, East Sussex, at 7am. Police said the local man, who was driving a Land Rover Defender, was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash near Horam, East Sussex, at 7am.
Emergency services trying to get to the scene were hampered by temperatures of around -2C and sheet ice.Emergency services trying to get to the scene were hampered by temperatures of around -2C and sheet ice.
The mercury plunged to -8.8C in Katesbridge, County Down, in Northern Ireland, overnight – not out of the ordinary for December but setting a new low for the year after last winter’s relatively mild and wet conditions. There were also regional lows of -7.6C in Benson, Oxfordshire, and -6.7C in Pembrey Sands, Dyfed, Wales.The mercury plunged to -8.8C in Katesbridge, County Down, in Northern Ireland, overnight – not out of the ordinary for December but setting a new low for the year after last winter’s relatively mild and wet conditions. There were also regional lows of -7.6C in Benson, Oxfordshire, and -6.7C in Pembrey Sands, Dyfed, Wales.
The Met Office warned of icy driving conditions in eastern Humberside, eastern Lincolnshire and northern East Anglia on Monday morning. The Highways Agency also advised motorists to be aware of driving conditions.The Met Office warned of icy driving conditions in eastern Humberside, eastern Lincolnshire and northern East Anglia on Monday morning. The Highways Agency also advised motorists to be aware of driving conditions.
A cold but dry day is expected across the UK with some winter sunshine and a lack of wind chill meaning it could feel relatively mild before temperatures fall overnight again. A cold but dry day is expected across the UK with some winter sunshine. A lack of wind chill means it could feel relatively mild before temperatures fall again overnight.
The Met Office meteorologist Mark Wilson said: “Away from western Scotland, it’s another cold night across the UK. Temperatures across the country will be below freezing in towns and cities. In rural areas we could be seeing temperatures of -5C or -6C.”The Met Office meteorologist Mark Wilson said: “Away from western Scotland, it’s another cold night across the UK. Temperatures across the country will be below freezing in towns and cities. In rural areas we could be seeing temperatures of -5C or -6C.”
He said Northern Ireland would join western Scotland in escaping the coldest temperatures overnight. The mercury was expected to start to rise on Tuesday, increasing to 8C or 9C in western areas and 3C or 4C in central and eastern parts of the UK. He said Northern Ireland would join western Scotland in escaping the coldest temperatures overnight. The mercury was expected to start to rise on Tuesday, increasing to 8C or 9C in western areas of the UK and 3C or 4C in central and eastern parts.
Things are not looking too bad at present for revellers seeing in the new year on Wednesday night. Although it will be cold, temperatures are not expected to be as low as they have been, with the mercury forecast to be comfortably above freezing in Scotland and Northern Ireland. Residents who are out in Plymouth, who are currently facing -4C, could expect temperatures to hit 11C in the daytime on New Year’s Eve.Things are not looking too bad at present for revellers seeing in the new year on Wednesday night. Although it will be cold, temperatures are not expected to be as low as they have been, with the mercury forecast to be comfortably above freezing in Scotland and Northern Ireland. Residents who are out in Plymouth, who are currently facing -4C, could expect temperatures to hit 11C in the daytime on New Year’s Eve.
New Year’s Day is expected to see wet and windy but warmer conditions for much of the country.New Year’s Day is expected to see wet and windy but warmer conditions for much of the country.
An amber cold weather action alert triggered by the Met Office, indicating 90% probability of severe cold weather, icy conditions or heavy snow, which could increase the health risks to vulnerable patients and disrupt the delivery of services, remains in force for the Midlands and northern England up until 12pm on Wednesday.An amber cold weather action alert triggered by the Met Office, indicating 90% probability of severe cold weather, icy conditions or heavy snow, which could increase the health risks to vulnerable patients and disrupt the delivery of services, remains in force for the Midlands and northern England up until 12pm on Wednesday.
Snow caused serious travel disruption in northern areas of the UK over the weekend, with Yorkshire particularly hard hit.Snow caused serious travel disruption in northern areas of the UK over the weekend, with Yorkshire particularly hard hit.
Many motorists in Sheffield were forced to abandon their cars after becoming snowed in and there were power cuts in more than 100,000 homes.Many motorists in Sheffield were forced to abandon their cars after becoming snowed in and there were power cuts in more than 100,000 homes.