Travel warnings issued across UK after snow and ice forecast

Travel warnings have been issued as the UK prepares for snow, ice and plunging temperatures.

National Rail said cold weather over the next few days could affect trains across the country and urged anyone planning to travel to check their journey before heading off.

It comes after the Met Office issued yellow weather warnings for snow and ice in northern Scotland from 4pm on Sunday until 11am on Monday.

It has also issued a yellow warning for parts of northern England, Wales and southern Scotland on Monday and Tuesday, with up to 20cm (around 8in) of snow possible on higher ground.

There is a small chance of up to 10cm (4in) of snow settling at lower levels, which could prove disruptive, forecasters said.

National Rail said speed restrictions to allow trains to run safely could be in place, making journeys longer.

There are also risks of cancellations, if, for example, snow is built up on tracks or ice covers overhead cables.

Meanwhile, Traffic Scotland warned drivers to be careful. Posting on X it said: ‘Heading on the motorway in snowy conditions? Stay in the clearest lane where possible, away from snow and keep within clear tyre tracks if you can.’

Met Office meteorologist Aidan McGivern said: ‘You’ll notice a change in the temperature. It’s going to start to feel much colder as these winds arrive from the north-northwest.

‘They’ll also carry frequent showers, which will be falling as sleet and snow over northern Scotland, particularly for Shetland, where there could be some settling of the wet snow above a couple of hundred metres.

‘Meanwhile, it stays relatively mild further south, albeit very cloudy and some outbreaks of rain sinking into southern parts.’

The UK Health Security Agency issued a separate cold weather warning for low temperatures as they could be life-threatening for vulnerable people.

The plummeting temperatures could impact health and social care services as there could be more demand than usual.

When will snow fall?

The first of the yellow warnings is in place from 4pm on Sunday to 11am on Monday. It affects mostly the Scotland’s Highlands, Na h-Eileanan Siar, Orkeny and Shetland.

‘There is a small chance of snow settling at lower levels, where 5 to 10 cm would prove much more disruptive, but this is very uncertain.’

Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk.

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