LONDON (AP) — A cold snap has swept across the U.K., resulting in the closure of numerous schools and severe disruptions to road and train travel on Tuesday. Snow, ice, and sleet have affected various regions, making conditions hazardous.
The Met Office, Britain’s weather forecasting service, has issued warnings for snow and ice, stating that an Arctic maritime air mass is moving southward from the northern parts of the country. They cautioned that power interruptions could occur and that rural communities might become isolated due to the harsh weather.
Reports indicate that approximately 200 schools throughout the U.K. were forced to close, as highlighted by the BBC and the Guardian. Commuters also faced significant challenges, with many train services being cancelled or delayed due to snow obstructing the tracks, impacting thousands of passengers.
The Met Office predicts that some areas may receive as much as 5 centimeters (around 2 inches) of snow, while higher elevations could see accumulations of up to 20 centimeters. This snowfall has already contributed to treacherous driving conditions in many regions.
In light of these developments, the UK Health Security Agency has issued its first cold weather health alert of the season. They warned that the extreme cold could pose risks to the elderly and other vulnerable populations, urging people to take precautions during this severe weather period.
