Cold air is continuing to push across the UK from the north, and many areas have seen some snow, wintry conditions, and overnight frosts,” said Met Office Chief Meteorologist Paul Gundersen. National Severe Weather Warnings have been issued across parts of western England, Wales, Northern Ireland, and Scotland with more warnings likely to be issued over the coming days.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has issued a Level 3 Cold Weather Alert for all of England until 9 a.m. on Friday, January 20th.
Freezing conditions bring so many hazards such as ice and snow and take every possible step to understand your journey in advance and allow lots of extra time when travelling to prepare for the unexpected,” said Dale Hipkiss, National Network Manager at National Highways.
“It is therefore always important to plan ahead for your journey, listen to the weather forecasts, and if weather conditions become challenging, adjust your driving behaviour and take extra care.
We have a section of our website dedicated to travelling during the autumn and winter period, as part of our guide to travelling in severe weather. To reduce the risk of breakdowns, people should check their vehicles’ tyres, coolant, and oil levels before heading out.”
As temperatures drop and conditions turn icy this winter, it’s important to take a few extra precautions to protect our pets,” said British Veterinary Association Senior Vice President Justine Shotton. Outdoor rabbit or guinea pig hutches should be shielded from snow, rain, and cold winds, whereas dogs and cats will require easy access to a warm indoor shelter.
“Consider a coat for older dogs or those with thin fur to keep them warm during walks and always wipe your dog’s paws and belly on returning home to remove any grit, as it can be toxic if ingested. Antifreeze is extremely dangerous to cats, so look for symptoms of poisoning such as vomiting, depression, lack of coordination, seizures, and difficulty breathing.”
“If you have any concerns about your pet during this cold spell, please contact your local veterinarian.”
The Met Office website has a lot of cold weather advice. On Traffic Scotland’s ‘Are you ready for Winter?’ website, you can find information and advice about driving in bad weather.
The cold spell will end later this week and into the weekend across western areas, where it will become milder, windier, and rainy at times. However, the cold air is expected to linger longer in the UK’s east and south-east, with sharp overnight frosts.
