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UK weather forecast: Met Office issues new ice warning as freeze causes chaos

Mirror 23/01/2019 Chris Kitching

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The Met Office has issued a new black ice warning across much of the UK as this week's deep freeze causes chaos for commuters and airline passengers.

Police have responded to multiple crashes on slippery motorways, and Liverpool Airport was forced to close its runway for about an hour due to wintry weather.

Forecasters have compared the hazardous conditions on roads and pavements to an "ice rink".

The new yellow warning for ice covers most of Scotland and northern, central and eastern regions in England from 6pm on Wednesday evening.

The Met Office said temperatures will drop, freezing surfaces that are wet from daytime showers or where further wintry showers will fall overnight.

Showers will be a mix of rain, sleet and snow, with some accumulations possible, mainly over 200 metres.

Wednesday is expected to be the coldest day of the week - with -8C recorded in parts of Scotland and northern England at 10am - amid a current cold snap that will go on for days.

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It will be a little colder overnight, with temperatures around -10C in places.

The Met Office warned: "Another cold night with a risk of ice, either where surfaces remain wet from daytime showers, or where further wintry showers fall onto frozen surfaces during the night and on Thursday morning.

"Showers will be a mix of rain, sleet and snow, with some slight accumulations possible, mainly above 200 metres."

The warning is due to expire at 11am on Thursday.

Snow and ice were causing problems for commuters and airline passengers on Wednesday as surfaces remained slick following Tuesday's rain and wintry showers.

Liverpool Airport closed its runway for about an hour on Wednesday morning, causing delays.

The airport tweeted: "Due to adverse weather conditions, the runway will be closed until approx 10.30am.

"Please contact your Airline for the latest information regarding your flight."

Eurostar cancelled at least two services due to "adverse" weather conditions in France and Belgium.

BBC weather presenter Carol Kirkwood wrote on Twitter that it was like an "ice rink" during her morning commute into central London, where temperatures were about -1C.

In Wales, Dyfed-Powys Police warned: "Please take care whilst driving this morning - we are receiving several reports of road traffic collisions due to icy road conditions."

A 10-car crash was reported in Swansea.

Late Tuesday night, North Yorkshire Police warned: "It’s incredibly bad driving conditions out in #York and surrounding areas. I hope you’re all tucked up in bed, but if not, please take care.

"Make sure windscreens are clear and take extra blankets and hot drinks for long journeys."

Many places are expected to be sunny on Wednesday, particularly through the central spine of the UK, although some western and eastern coasts will see further wintry showers.

Some coastal showers will continue overnight into Thursday morning, but many central and eastern areas will be clear, cold and frosty.

Western areas will turn cloudier with patchy rain, sleet and hill snow.

Earlier, the Met Office had issued a yellow warning for ice for much of the country. That warning expired on Wednesday morning.

A spokeswoman said: The spokeswoman added: "[Wednesday] will be one of the coldest days of the week, but with a lot of sunshine to compensate.

"Those concerned about the yellow warnings should allow extra time for journeys and take extra care on untreated roads and pavements.

"It's patches of ice left over from snow showers that people should look out for."

Halfords has issued road safety advice, telling motorists to break up snow and ice around their car's wheels, use a low gear if stuck in snow, use car mats or even a coat to get some traction if wheels start to spin.

Drivers should travel with an emergency kit including extra warm clothes, high energy foods such as chocolate or nuts, a hot drink in a flask, water, a plastic fuel can, snow socks, a heavy duty tow rope, a shovel, screen wash and a mobile phone powerbank.

Hannah Coupland, Halfords’ winter consumables expert, says: “We are advising motorists to be prepared by keeping things like warm clothes, drinks, screenwash and a mobile phone handy in case you do get stuck. Using products like de-icer and frost guards can also help make those frosty mornings easier.”

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