Snow and ice alerts in force as Britain shivers amid sub-zero temperatures

World

Snow and ice alerts are in force across swathes of the country as the UK recorded its coldest night of the year so far.

With temperatures hovering around freezing in many parts, wintry conditions and icy roads are threatening to cause travel disruption, according to forecasters.

Amid the risk of injuries, pedestrians are also being warned to take care on slippery paths and pavements.

This beats the previous low of -10.5C (13.1F) recorded on 3 January in Braemar.

Meanwhile, a snow and ice warning is in place along almost the entire east coast of the country, while a separate snow warning has been issued along the length of Wales.

Sky News weather presenter Nazaneen Ghaffar said: “It’s going to stay cold for the coming few days, with wintry showers and the risk of ice.”

As the temperatures drop, Public Health England (PHE) has issued advice on how to cope with the cold weather, including keeping your home heated to 18C (64.4F) and keeping an eye on friends or neighbours who may be elderly or have health conditions.

Emer O’Connell, from PHE, said: “Every year millions of pounds are handed out by the Government to people who need support with keeping their home warm.

“But there is still more which goes unclaimed. Remember that you don’t have to be on other benefits to be eligible for some of these funds – if you are struggling to pay your heating bills, you may be entitled to help.”

She added: “It’s also really important to look out for others. People with heart and lung conditions, those who are over 65 and young children are at risk in cold weather. Those with conditions like dementia and Alzheimer’s are also at risk as they may be less aware that they need to change their behaviour to stay warm.

Article sourced from SKY News

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *