| Re: Warnings of snow, wind and rain across the UK for New Year Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 16:39, 8th January 2025 |     |
An update, from the BBC:
Cold snap grips UK as -20C possible overnight
Wintry weather is tightening its grip in many parts of the UK, with sub-zero temperatures expected to plunge even lower overnight and more snow forecast in some places.
Forecasters predict the coldest nights of the year over the next two days, and temperatures are expected to fall as low as -20C in some places that endured heavy snowfall at the weekend.
A fresh amber warning for snow has come into force in the South West, with yellow snow and ice warnings also in place for other parts of the UK into Thursday.
There are also 75 flood warnings, meaning flooding is expected, and 148 flood alerts, meaning flooding is possible, in place across England. One flood warning and four flood alerts are in force in Wales. There are no severe flood warnings in place, which indicate a danger to life or significant disruption. Looking ahead, the flooding and warnings are expected to reduce with no significant rain predicted in the areas experiencing flooding.
An amber cold health alert - the second-highest level - covering all regions of England is in place until midday on Sunday. The alert, issued by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), warns the freezing conditions are likely to result in a rise in deaths, particularly among older and vulnerable people, and an increase in demand for health services. They are different to weather warnings and provide early warning to healthcare providers, and suggest actions such as actively monitoring individuals at a high risk.
Dr Agostinho Sousa from the UKHSA said it was vital to check in on vulnerable people who could be "more at risk of heart attacks, stroke and chest infections as a result of cold temperatures".
Some people are entitled to cold weather payments to help with fuel bills. Eleven thousand people in England are estimated to have received the top-up since November ...
An amber warning for snow covering Cornwall, Devon, Dorset and Somerset is set to last until 21:00 GMT on Wednesday.
Isolated yellow snow and ice warnings spanning Wednesday and Thursday are in place across the UK, including parts of Northern Ireland and the Scottish Highlands, although their coverage is not as wide as in recent days.
Yellow warnings have also been issued for Wales and other parts of South West England from 03:00 GMT until 12:00 GMT on Thursday.
Rain will spread across the far south of England but there will be some snow over Exmoor and Dartmoor, perhaps as much as 10cm (4in) on Wednesday.
Snow may also fall over mainly higher ground later on Wednesday in south-east England. The focus will switch to how far temperatures are likely to fall, particularly during the night.
Temperatures on Tuesday night widely fell below freezing, with most of the UK waking up on Wednesday to a frost. The lowest temperature overnight was in Scotland with -7C at Tulloch Bridge. But with -6.9C in Katesbridge, it was Northern Ireland's coldest night of the winter so far.
Across England, the temperature fell to -8.4C in Shap, Cumbria, but even in southern England it was -6.1C at Benson, Oxfordshire.
In Wales, the lowest temperature was -3.8C in Bala, Gwynedd.
The wintry conditions have caused significant disruption across the UK since snow swept many parts of the country at the weekend.
Hundreds of schools were closed in England, Scotland and Northern Ireland, including schools in Yorkshire, Merseyside, the Midlands and Aberdeenshire.
Extensive flooding caused some local roads to remain shut on Wednesday in Lincolnshire, while Northern Rail also confirmed no services would stop at Gathurst station near Wigan.
Most flights are running again after they were temporarily halted at airports in Liverpool, Bristol, Aberdeen and Manchester - but operators have warned some delays are still likely.
Bitter cold is expected in many parts of the UK in the coming days, with the likelihood of sharp overnight frosts. Temperatures are expected to drop well below freezing on Wednesday and Thursday night, with forecasters expecting many parts of the UK to experience a hard frost and lows of between -3C and -10C.
In places that are still experiencing snow cover, it could be as cold as -14C to -16C on Wednesday night, and on Thursday the Pennines and snow fields of Scotland could register temperatures as low as -16C to -20C. That would actually be far colder than was experienced at the weekend when a low of -13.3 C was recorded at Loch Glascarnoch in the Highlands. It is also significantly lower than anything seen last winter when a particularly bitter night in Dalwhinnie in the Highlands saw a mark of -14C being recorded.
The last time the UK had any temperature below -20C was in February 2021 when Braemar in Aberdeenshire was measured at -23C.
Wintry weather is tightening its grip in many parts of the UK, with sub-zero temperatures expected to plunge even lower overnight and more snow forecast in some places.
Forecasters predict the coldest nights of the year over the next two days, and temperatures are expected to fall as low as -20C in some places that endured heavy snowfall at the weekend.
A fresh amber warning for snow has come into force in the South West, with yellow snow and ice warnings also in place for other parts of the UK into Thursday.
There are also 75 flood warnings, meaning flooding is expected, and 148 flood alerts, meaning flooding is possible, in place across England. One flood warning and four flood alerts are in force in Wales. There are no severe flood warnings in place, which indicate a danger to life or significant disruption. Looking ahead, the flooding and warnings are expected to reduce with no significant rain predicted in the areas experiencing flooding.
An amber cold health alert - the second-highest level - covering all regions of England is in place until midday on Sunday. The alert, issued by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), warns the freezing conditions are likely to result in a rise in deaths, particularly among older and vulnerable people, and an increase in demand for health services. They are different to weather warnings and provide early warning to healthcare providers, and suggest actions such as actively monitoring individuals at a high risk.
Dr Agostinho Sousa from the UKHSA said it was vital to check in on vulnerable people who could be "more at risk of heart attacks, stroke and chest infections as a result of cold temperatures".
Some people are entitled to cold weather payments to help with fuel bills. Eleven thousand people in England are estimated to have received the top-up since November ...
An amber warning for snow covering Cornwall, Devon, Dorset and Somerset is set to last until 21:00 GMT on Wednesday.
Isolated yellow snow and ice warnings spanning Wednesday and Thursday are in place across the UK, including parts of Northern Ireland and the Scottish Highlands, although their coverage is not as wide as in recent days.
Yellow warnings have also been issued for Wales and other parts of South West England from 03:00 GMT until 12:00 GMT on Thursday.
Rain will spread across the far south of England but there will be some snow over Exmoor and Dartmoor, perhaps as much as 10cm (4in) on Wednesday.
Snow may also fall over mainly higher ground later on Wednesday in south-east England. The focus will switch to how far temperatures are likely to fall, particularly during the night.
Temperatures on Tuesday night widely fell below freezing, with most of the UK waking up on Wednesday to a frost. The lowest temperature overnight was in Scotland with -7C at Tulloch Bridge. But with -6.9C in Katesbridge, it was Northern Ireland's coldest night of the winter so far.
Across England, the temperature fell to -8.4C in Shap, Cumbria, but even in southern England it was -6.1C at Benson, Oxfordshire.
In Wales, the lowest temperature was -3.8C in Bala, Gwynedd.
The wintry conditions have caused significant disruption across the UK since snow swept many parts of the country at the weekend.
Hundreds of schools were closed in England, Scotland and Northern Ireland, including schools in Yorkshire, Merseyside, the Midlands and Aberdeenshire.
Extensive flooding caused some local roads to remain shut on Wednesday in Lincolnshire, while Northern Rail also confirmed no services would stop at Gathurst station near Wigan.
Most flights are running again after they were temporarily halted at airports in Liverpool, Bristol, Aberdeen and Manchester - but operators have warned some delays are still likely.
Bitter cold is expected in many parts of the UK in the coming days, with the likelihood of sharp overnight frosts. Temperatures are expected to drop well below freezing on Wednesday and Thursday night, with forecasters expecting many parts of the UK to experience a hard frost and lows of between -3C and -10C.
In places that are still experiencing snow cover, it could be as cold as -14C to -16C on Wednesday night, and on Thursday the Pennines and snow fields of Scotland could register temperatures as low as -16C to -20C. That would actually be far colder than was experienced at the weekend when a low of -13.3 C was recorded at Loch Glascarnoch in the Highlands. It is also significantly lower than anything seen last winter when a particularly bitter night in Dalwhinnie in the Highlands saw a mark of -14C being recorded.
The last time the UK had any temperature below -20C was in February 2021 when Braemar in Aberdeenshire was measured at -23C.
| Re: Warnings of snow, wind and rain across the UK for New Year Posted by UstiImmigrunt at 14:36, 7th January 2025 | |
It's elf and safety gone mad! 
https://www.msn.com/en-gb/public-safety-and-emergencies/health-and-safety-alerts/trains-cancelled-after-union-tells-drivers-not-to-walk-on-snow/ar-AA1x3ATg?ocid=msedgntp&pc=U531&cvid=a6adf81109604cd5ba970c70a324f18c&ei=26
https://www.msn.com/en-gb/public-safety-and-emergencies/health-and-safety-alerts/trains-cancelled-after-union-tells-drivers-not-to-walk-on-snow/ar-AA1x3ATg?ocid=msedgntp&pc=U531&cvid=a6adf81109604cd5ba970c70a324f18c&ei=26
One has to ask how did the drivers even manage to get to the depot if it was unsafe?
Are the union going to ask each council/company to clear all paths/roads of snow before drivers can leave their house?
I wouldn't laugh too much. Far too many drivers and guards have no idea how to walk on ballast either, so what chances of being able to walk on ice and or snow?
Whilst instructing I asked my DSM if it was possible to use a SPT rather than the SG button on the GSMR. The answer, no. Because if the trainee sprained an ankle it would be my fault. So only those who work on SPM definitely and maybe Gloucester, Westbury or Laira would know how to walk on ballast. Everywhere has a lovely walking route installed.
I've spent more time walking on the ballast of České Dráhy in the last 3 months than the last 5 and a bit years in work. In May 2018 I visited SPM for the final time, that was my last ballast walk.
PS Currently having a few nights around Bern, plenty of snow and I'm being very careful in my walking around.
| Re: Warnings of snow, wind and rain across the UK for New Year Posted by GBM at 10:35, 7th January 2025 | |
I was suffiiciently impressed by the ridges on the footpath crossing over the main line to take photos
Good to see Melksham is now double tracked.At last
| Re: Warnings of snow, wind and rain across the UK for New Year Posted by grahame at 10:18, 7th January 2025 | |
I was suffiiciently impressed by the ridges on the footpath crossing over the main line to take photos
| Re: Warnings of snow, wind and rain across the UK for New Year Posted by stuving at 09:53, 7th January 2025 | |
It's elf and safety gone mad!
https://www.msn.com/en-gb/public-safety-and-emergencies/health-and-safety-alerts/trains-cancelled-after-union-tells-drivers-not-to-walk-on-snow/ar-AA1x3ATg?ocid=msedgntp&pc=U531&cvid=a6adf81109604cd5ba970c70a324f18c&ei=26
https://www.msn.com/en-gb/public-safety-and-emergencies/health-and-safety-alerts/trains-cancelled-after-union-tells-drivers-not-to-walk-on-snow/ar-AA1x3ATg?ocid=msedgntp&pc=U531&cvid=a6adf81109604cd5ba970c70a324f18c&ei=26
One has to ask how did the drivers even manage to get to the depot if it was unsafe?
Are the union going to ask each council/company to clear all paths/roads of snow before drivers can leave their house?
That does remind me of something: the recent trend for surfacing walking routes to sidings with manufactured panels. These look to be made of some plastic, but whatever it is it also looks as if it would be pretty slippery when wet, let alone covered in a thin layer of snow. So maybe there is a real issue behind this; smoother paths need more anti-slip and snow-clearing procedures.
That would be of a piece with our local council, who repaved the footpath along the main road outside their offices with some rather glazed pink blocks. It's on a slope, and broken leg or two later the paving was torn up and replaced with something grippier.
| Re: Warnings of snow, wind and rain across the UK for New Year Posted by ray951 at 08:18, 7th January 2025 | |
It's elf and safety gone mad!
https://www.msn.com/en-gb/public-safety-and-emergencies/health-and-safety-alerts/trains-cancelled-after-union-tells-drivers-not-to-walk-on-snow/ar-AA1x3ATg?ocid=msedgntp&pc=U531&cvid=a6adf81109604cd5ba970c70a324f18c&ei=26
https://www.msn.com/en-gb/public-safety-and-emergencies/health-and-safety-alerts/trains-cancelled-after-union-tells-drivers-not-to-walk-on-snow/ar-AA1x3ATg?ocid=msedgntp&pc=U531&cvid=a6adf81109604cd5ba970c70a324f18c&ei=26
One has to ask how did the drivers even manage to get to the depot if it was unsafe?
Are the union going to ask each council/company to clear all paths/roads of snow before drivers can leave their house?
| Re: Warnings of snow, wind and rain across the UK for New Year Posted by TaplowGreen at 07:11, 7th January 2025 | |
It's elf and safety gone mad!
https://www.msn.com/en-gb/public-safety-and-emergencies/health-and-safety-alerts/trains-cancelled-after-union-tells-drivers-not-to-walk-on-snow/ar-AA1x3ATg?ocid=msedgntp&pc=U531&cvid=a6adf81109604cd5ba970c70a324f18c&ei=26
| Re: Warnings of snow, wind and rain across the UK for New Year Posted by ChrisB at 11:03, 6th January 2025 | |
New yellow warnings issujed for some of our area tonight & tomorrow morning & Wednesday now too
| Re: Warnings of snow, wind and rain across the UK for New Year Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 23:06, 5th January 2025 | |
| Re: Warnings of snow, wind and rain across the UK for New Year Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 22:17, 3rd January 2025 | |
I'm not going to even try to quote anything specific from this BBC item - it's being updated continuously.
Please: let's all be careful out there!
Chris.
| Warnings of snow, wind and rain across the UK for New Year Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 15:47, 29th December 2024 | |
From the BBC:
Weather warnings for rain, snow and winds of up to 70mph have been issued for parts of the UK on New Year's Eve and New Year's Day, the Met Office has said.
Yellow warnings are in place for Northern Ireland, northern England and parts of Scotland from Tuesday before extending across most of the UK on Wednesday.
A series of warnings begin to come into force from 00:00 GMT on Monday and will last in some areas until 06:00 GMT on 2 January.
The forecaster said there was likely to be travel disruption with almost all of the country impacted by at least one yellow alert over the four days.
Following a period of heavy rain and some hill snow in Scotland on Monday, two areas of low pressure will bring unsettled conditions on both New Year's Eve and New Year's Day and eventually lead to a cold plunge of air from the north and a drop in temperature.
On New Year's Eve, there could be as much as 100-140mm (3.9- 5.5 inches) of rainfall in some parts of western Scotland which could lead to localised flooding. There could be some further snow in northern parts of the country too.
There will also be spells of rain across England, Northern Ireland and Wales. The rain looks particularly heavy in Wales.
While it will be windy everywhere, it could be very blustery in the south of England as the new year is welcomed in.
The weather warnings in place across the UK include:
- In northern Scotland, a yellow warning for rain and snow from 00:00 GMT on Monday until midnight on Tuesday. A separate warning for snow is in place for the Orkney Islands from 05:00 GMT until midnight on Tuesday.
- Also on Tuesday, parts of northern England are covered by a yellow warning for wind from 07:00 GMT until 23:00 GMT. A separate wind warning covers Northern Ireland from 06:00 GMT until 19:00 GMT.
- On Wednesday, yellow warnings for snow come into force, covering Northern Ireland until midnight and parts of northern England until 03:00 GMT on Thursday.
- Also on Wednesday, a yellow warning for wind is in place for most of England from 09:00 GMT until 06:00 GMT on Thursday. A separate yellow warning for rain covers part of Wales from 09:00 GMT until 21:00 GMT.
More widespread disruption is expected on New Year's Day as another area of low pressure moves across the UK.
The strongest winds will be over England and Wales with gusts near 70mph over coasts and hills in the south and west.
Rain is forecast to be heavier in Wales on Wednesday, which could bring some flooding.
Possible snowfall may lead to disruption in Northern Ireland, Scotland and northern England.
Forecasters said 10cm of snow was expected in some areas with heavier falls over hills with blizzards and drifting.
The Met Office said there was "potential for the pattern of warnings to shift and possibly escalate in some areas".
Those travelling and with plans over the New Year are being urged to check the latest forecasts.
The yellow weather warnings come after thick fog caused disruption to hundreds of flights at some of the UK's major airports over the weekend.
Gatwick Airport reported continued delays on Sunday, and flights at Manchester, Glasgow and Cardiff were also affected on Friday and Saturday due to poor visibility.
Disruption could continue on Wednesday night. By the morning of Thursday 2 January, as the area of low pressure clears into Europe, arctic air may sweep towards the UK.
From Thursday into next weekend it will be much colder everywhere with widespread frosts. Most places will be dry and sunny during the day but wintry showers will affect northern areas and lead to icy conditions.
