Snow hits LONDON – with ice warnings hit across UK and nearly a foot on way amid -11C Arctic snap and heavy rain as commuters face travel hell

Snow has begun to fall in London today as Britain remains in a deep freeze, with temperatures dropping to -11C, with a number of weather warnings.

People in the capital began seeing showers at 9am this morning after the Met Office said winter weather ‘could create some challenging travel conditions’.

While the cold continues to affect the United Kingdom, snow has begun to fall in some parts of Scotland, and the yellow snow and ice warning in Northern Ireland will continue until 12:00 today.

Large parts of northern Scotland will face a yellow warning until 9pm tomorrow; The same will apply for much of North East England and Yorkshire until 23.59 tomorrow.

The Met Office said clear skies following rain and snow on the hills would lead to a risk of icy conditions until this morning during the ‘first significant cold spell of this autumn’.

A yellow ice warning has been issued for much of Wales, northern and central England and southern Scotland until 11am today.

Forecasters have also issued a yellow snow warning for parts of Yorkshire between 5am and 9pm tomorrow, saying power cuts and travel delays are likely on the roads.

Frequent inland showers from the North Sea will cause significant snow accumulation in parts of the North York Moors and Yorkshire Wolds.

The Met Office said up to 25cm (10in) could have accumulated on hills above 100m by the end of tomorrow, possibly causing ‘significant disruption’.

Snow fell in Castleside, County Durham, this morning as warnings continue

A person clears snow from his car this morning in Tow Law, County Durham

Snowy fields around Castleside in County Durham today as the wintry weather continues

Snow fell in Tow Low, County Durham, this morning while warnings were in place

Snowy fields around Castleside in County Durham today as the wintry weather continues

Meteorology issued a yellow weather warning for snow and ice across the country today.

The Met Office has also issued warnings for tomorrow (above), including a yellow alert (right).

He added that power outages and travel delays were likely on the roads, and some vehicles and passengers would likely be stranded.

Met Office chief forecaster Neil Armstrong said: ‘Cold Arctic air from the north is keeping a tight grip on the UK’s weather forecast, bringing the first significant cold snaps of this autumn and giving an early taste of winter weather.

‘As a result, winter hazards are likely to occur over the next few days; Snow and ice are a particular hazard, with the coldest conditions likely on Wednesday and Thursday.

‘Winter showers will affect areas exposed to strong northerly winds, particularly Northern Ireland, south-west Wales, south-west England, north-east England and the northern half of Scotland.

‘Although snow may not be seen everywhere, it will be possible to accumulate 2 to 5 cm of snow in places where heavy rains occur most frequently.

‘Up to 15cm to 20cm could accumulate over high elevations in Scotland, with 15cm to 25cm potentially accumulating over the North York Moors and Yorkshire Wolds.’

A yellow weather warning for snow and ice has been issued in South West Wales and South West England from noon today until 11.59pm tomorrow.

In addition to snow, icing will continue to be a danger in the coming days, especially throughout the night.

Things will be drier for many by Friday, with temperatures gradually warming up and rain arriving in the West later in the day.

Mr Armstrong said: ‘Temperatures are well below average for times of year and could drop as low as -11C in rural Scotland on Thursday night; Daytime temperatures for most people are generally in the low single digits.

‘When skies are clear, overnight icing can create particularly challenging travel conditions.’

Darren Clark, National Highways’ severe weather resilience advisor, said: ‘Given snow forecast and freezing conditions in parts of England this week, National Highways’ winter operation is in full swing with gravels completing their first drives of the season.

‘We have more than 530 blasting machines nationally and can quickly call on additional reserves when snow falls or conditions require it.

‘We work closely with the Met Office, getting forecasts updated throughout the day and our teams are on duty around the clock, ready to go when needed.

‘We also urge drivers to prepare for winter and avoid getting caught in it. Quick checks like refueling and washing windows, checking headlights and tires and planning ahead can make a big difference when the weather changes.’

The coldest night since March was recorded on Saturday, when temperatures dropped to -7C at Tulloch Bridge in the Highlands.

Meanwhile, the UK could be braced for another ‘Beast from the East’ next month as meteorologists monitor forecasts following this week’s cold spell.

The Met Office has announced that forecast models suggest the potential for a phenomenon called Sudden Stratospheric Warming (SSW).

This caused the Beast from the East in February 2018, when the UK suffered significant snowfall.

The map above shows snow accumulations until noon on Thursday this week.

UK Health Safety Agency issues amber and yellow cold health warnings for England

Snow fell overnight at Leadgate in County Durham this morning as weather warnings remain in place

Consett in County Durham was covered in snow overnight this morning due to ongoing winter weather

SSW that may occur in the coming weeks indicates rapid warming in the stratosphere; This could change the direction of the winds, bringing them east to Britain.

This change could change the UK’s weather pattern, weakening areas of low pressure and moving the jet stream southward; This can lead to high pressure over the North Atlantic, blocking the flow of temperate Atlantic air and dragging cold air from the continent.

Therefore, SSW events are associated with very cold weather; The Beast from the East emerged in 2018 when an icy blast of freezing Siberian winds caused freezing temperatures and heavy snowfall, causing further travel chaos when Storm Emma hit.

The Met Office said SSW events do not always cause very cold weather, but they greatly increase the likelihood of doing so because a cold moment is more likely to be followed than not at all.

Conditions in February 2018 were among the worst the UK has experienced in recent years; Thousands of schools were closed, hospital appointments were cancelled, transport networks ground to a halt and drivers were stranded in cars overnight.

Met Office spokesman Stephen Dixon told the Mail: ‘There is a sudden signal of stratospheric warming very early in the season this year towards the end of November.

‘Although we see such events occasionally in November, it is relatively early in the winter for this to occur.

‘This suggests that the chances of a cold start to winter are higher than in recent years; but at this stage it is too early to say anything definitive about the exact impacts on the UK.’