The Met Office has warned swathes of the UK to expect more ice and snow on Thursday, as the UK faces a cold snap in the first week of 2025.
Two new yellow weather warnings will come into place on Thursday afternoon, with Britons told to expect icy conditions and delays to their journeys until at least Friday morning.
The first warning for snow and ice will come into place at 4pm on Thursday for northeast Scotland, while the second yellow warning for ice will begin at 5pm across northwest Scotland, northwest England and parts of Northern Ireland.
A three day yellow snow warning will soon follow, as most of England, southern Scotland and all of Wales are told to brace for snow from noon on Saturday until Monday morning.
Travel delays and power cuts are likely in the most affected areas of the Midlands, Wales and northern England, which could see anything between 5cm and 30cm of snow.
It comes as devastating scenes of flooding were seen in Manchester on New Years Day, with Greater Manchester Police declaring a major incident.
Full list of weather warnings as Britons told to brace for freezing weather
The Met Office has issued four weather warnings in the coming days as the UK welcomes in 2025 with a cold snap.
The forecasters have told Britons to prepare for freezing temperatures, ice and up to 30cm of snow over the weekend.
• Thursday 4pm to Friday 10am: Yellow snow and ice warning for northeast Scotland.
• Thursday 5pm to Friday 10am: Yellow ice warning for northwest Scotland, northwest England and parts of Northern Ireland.
• Saturday 12pm to Monday 9am: Yellow snow warning for most of England, southern Scotland and all of Wales.
• Sunday 12am to Monday 12pm: Yellow snow warning for most of Scotland.
Athena Stavrou2 January 2025 15:43
Major flooding incident stood down in Manchester
A major incident has been stood down after flooding which saw almost 1,000 people evacuated.
Fire crews in Greater Manchester attended more than 100 incidents as a result of the flooding, caused by heavy rain through New Year’s Eve and into New Year’s Day.
In neighbouring Cheshire, the Bridgewater Canal breached its banks when an aqueduct was damaged during the rainfall.
In a joint update on Thursday, Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS), Greater Manchester Police (GMP) and Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) said there had been no reports of injuries and they were now focussing on recovery efforts.
The major incident was declared at 4am on New Year’s Day and mountain rescue teams were deployed to help.
Chief Fire Officer Dave Russel said: “The flooding on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day caused considerable damage and disruption across Greater Manchester. We have evacuated nearly 1,000 people, half of them on boats, and many from flooded homes.
“Over the past 36 hours, fire crews have worked tirelessly to keep people safe alongside Greater Manchester Police, North West Ambulance Service, Mountain Rescue, local councils and a range of partners. I’d like to thank everyone involved in the response for their hard work and dedication.”
Athena Stavrou2 January 2025 15:22
Pictured: Flooding in Manchester which saw 1,000 evacuated
Athena Stavrou2 January 2025 15:10
2024 provisionally fourth warmest year on record for the UK
2024 was provisionally the fourth warmest year on record for the UK, according to the Met Office.
With a mean temperature of 9.78C it follows 2022, 2023 and 2014 as provisionally the fourth warmest year for the UK according to mean temperature in a series from 1884.
All top 10 warmest years according to mean temperature have been since the year 2000, with five in the most recent decade 2015-2024.
Every year of the most recent decade has been warmer than the 1991-2020 long-term average.
Met Office Senior Scientist Mike Kendon said: “2024 has been another year with minimum temperatures well above average. We have experienced some particularly mild nights and far fewer frosts than normal, particularly in February and December.”
Athena Stavrou2 January 2025 15:06
Watch: Drone footage shows collapsed Cheshire canal bank
Athena Stavrou2 January 2025 14:48
How much snow is expected over weekend?
About 5cm of snow is expected widely across the Midlands, Wales and northern England, the Met Office has said.
As much as 20-30cm could be seen over high ground in Wales and/or the Pennines, the forecaster added.
Athena Stavrou2 January 2025 14:12
Northern lights seen over Derwentwater, near Keswick in Cumbria.
Athena Stavrou2 January 2025 13:45
Extreme flooding as banks of canal collapse
Devastating flooding has been seen in Cheshire after the banks of a canal collapsed on New Year’s Day.
The region was hit with heavy rain overnight, with Greater Manchester police declaring a major incident due to flooding.
Images from near the billage of Little Bollington showed fields being completely flooded by water from the Bridgewater Canal after its banks collapsed.
Athena Stavrou2 January 2025 13:09
Where are weather warnings in place for today?
The Met Office has issued two fresh weather warnings for Thursday afternoon, as more ice and snow is expected in the UK.
The first warning for snow and ice will come into place at 4pm on Thursday for northeast Scotland, while the second yellow warning for ice will begin at 5pm across northwest Scotland, northwest England and parts of Northern Ireland.
Both warnings are expected to expire at 10am on Friday.
Athena Stavrou2 January 2025 12:40
