BRITONS are being warned not to go out “morning or evening” after a seven-month-old baby died in a crash on an icy road.
Health warnings have been issued across the UK with temperatures set to drop to -8C with up to 16 inches of snow forecast.
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The New Forest in Hampshire recorded sub-zero temperatures overnightCredit: Alamy
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White Stonehenge this morningCredit: Chris Gorman / Big Ladder
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Richmond Park, London, this morningCredit: London News Pictures
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Ice warnings at Bushy Park in South West LondonCredit: LNP
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Public health chiefs have issued Amber Alerts for the whole of EnglandCredit: Gov.Uk
Public health chiefs have issued amber alerts for the whole of England from now until January 8.
It comes after a boy was killed in a horrific crash late last night and police are investigating whether the incident was linked to the icy conditions.
Officers were called to the scene of a single vehicle collision involving a yellow Honda Jazz on the A1 in Lincolnshire near Grantham just after 10.50pm on Thursday.
The car left the southbound carriageway about 500 meters from the Spittlegate junction, struck a tree and returned to the road.
The baby, aged seven months, was taken to hospital but was pronounced dead just after 5am, Lincolnshire Police said.
The statement added that police believe the accident may have been caused by ‘icy road conditions’.
A woman also traveling in the same car suffered serious injuries, but two other passengers were not seriously injured, officers said.
Meanwhile, the Met Office has also issued amber weather warnings for snow and ice today.
The UK’s Health Safety Agency has warned of a likely rise in deaths, particularly among the elderly and those with underlying medical conditions.
NHS bosses in the West Midlands have warned locals not to venture out in the early morning or late evening, when the frost will be thick.
Keeping warm and toasty in cold weather – advice from the UK Health Safety Agency
They said people should keep their hands free and wear shoes that fit well.
Herefordshire residents are being urged to stock up on food and medicine and to seal off drafts in their homes.
It comes as two yellow warnings for snow and freezing rain are in place across much of England and Wales this weekend.
A snow and sleet warning is in effect from 6 p.m. Saturday until noon Sunday.
A second amber warning for snow covers much of northern England from 9pm on Saturday until midnight on Sunday.
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Edinburgh in cold weather to stay over the weekendCredit: PA
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Frosty Regent’s Park in London todayCredit: EPA
Locally, up to 30 cm of snow is expected in both warning areas, and three to 7 cm is likely in other areas.
Meanwhile, London councils yesterday activated an emergency accommodation protocol for people sleeping rough.
Emergency measures, which entail the opening of additional beds, were in force for three nights this winter.
WINTER TIME
The mercury dropped as low as -8C in rural Scotland and northern England last night.
A yellow snow warning is in effect from noon tomorrow until 9 a.m. Monday.
The warning covers all regions of England, except the south west, most of Wales and parts of southern Scotland.
Around 2 inches of snow is expected across the Midlands, Wales and northern England.
A whopping 16 inches could fall over high ground in Wales and the Pennines, the forecaster added.
Strong winds could lead to snow drifts in some areas, and freezing rain as temperatures rise could increase the risk of ice.
Met Office meteorologist Tom Morgan said: “At the moment we have issued a heavy snow warning from Saturday to Monday.
“But that doesn’t mean there could be snow everywhere within that warning, it’s just an announcement that there could be some impacts.”
The Met Office has warned people to be prepared and aware when traveling with longer journey times likely.
Trains are likely to experience delays or cancellations, with National Rail confirming that various routes across the UK are affected.
Bad weather is currently affecting National Rail Northern and ScotRail services.
In Wales, buses replace trains between Llandudno Junction and Blaenau Ffestiniog.
There could be icy areas in northern and western Scotland, northwest England and Northern Ireland.
Drivers and pedestrians are warned to be careful with icy roads, pavements or bike paths.
The major incident declared on Wednesday in Greater Manchester due to flooding has been suspended.
Met Office forecast for this weekend in full
Today
It will remain cold, but mostly dry and sunny for many. Snow showers will continue to affect coasts exposed to northerly winds.
But it will be more of a wintry mix of rain, sleet and snow in the west.
Tonight
Showers in the north and west, these wintry ones over the hills will move eastwards.
Elsewhere with clear spells, temperatures will drop below freezing with widespread frost developing for many.
Saturday
Cold and frosty for many, but thicker clouds will spread from the southwest in the afternoon.
A mix of rain, sleet and snow moving north overnight.
from Sunday to Tuesday
Rain, sleet and snow continue to spread to the northeast on Sunday, becoming lighter for a while in the south.
On Monday, it will be colder again, but drier with winter showers, similar to Tuesday.
Emergency services and partners are now focused on recovery and there have been no casualties or reports of serious injuries.
Conditions should warm up a bit over the weekend before cooling off again early next week.
Met Office expert Dan Stroud said: “The second half of the weekend should be in a high single or low pair.
“But temperatures will drop again next week, particularly on Monday and Tuesday.
“They should start to improve at the end of the week – but until then there’s still a lot of water under the bridge.”
Age UK boss Caroline Abrahams said pensioners will be battling a cold snap after the government cut the winter fuel allowance.
Ms Abrahams said OAPs had already contacted the charity “worrying what to do when this moment comes”.
She said: “We are urging older people to do what they can to stay warm.
“Even if it means risking spending more on heating than they think they can afford.
“Energy companies have an obligation to help if you’re struggling.”
Abrahams added: “There may also be support available from your local council.”
Starting this winter, only people who have pensions or other benefits will receive winter leave.
More than nine million others will be deprived of benefits under the new rules.
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Cold start this morning in Bushy Park, South West LondonCredit: LNP
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Winter conditions at Allenheads, NorthumberlandCredit: PA
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Heavy snow in Aberdeenshire Credit: MICHAEL TRAILL
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Snow in Aberdeen yesterdayCredit: PA
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