BRITONS will have to endure another day of freezing temperatures in the current cold spell as the Met Office extended its ice warning with the mercury expected to drop to a very cold -10C.
It came after elderly people were given a health warning and warning to “wear more layers” as south-east England received its earliest winter snow in 15 years.
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There were Christmas scenes in Sunderland this morningCredit: Unknown, clearly with the picture table
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Snowfall in Queen’s Park, North London this afternoonCredit: LNP
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The Met Office has updated its yellow weather warnings for Friday as freezing temperatures continueCredit: MET Office
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The weather forecaster has also issued a warning for SaturdayCredit: MET Office
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The Angel of the North statue in Gateshead was covered in snow this morningCredit: PA
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Tynemouth Longsands beach in North Tyneside had good snow on Friday morningCredit: NNP
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Snow blanketed large parts of North East England todayCredit: Cover images
Parts of the UK could see up to 5cm of snow today, with temperatures expected to drop to -10C in some areas.
Hilly areas, including the moors of North Yorkshire and parts of Scotland, received more snow this morning.
Parts of London saw their first snow of the year today, with storms spotted in Queen’s Park and Highgate.
The “severe weather” also caused delays to trains between York and Edinburgh.
Meanwhile, buses in the South East were also grounded this morning after trains were knocked out in Kent.
Residents in north-east England were also forced to bring out their de-icer as rows of houses woke up to frozen windscreens and snow-covered roads.
As temperatures plunged below -3C further north in Scotland this morning, planes at Edinburgh Airport were also seen de-icing on icy runways.
Elsewhere, in Portsmouth, the City Council unfortunately canceled their Christmas lights switch-on party due to weather conditions that made it unsafe for local children to perform.
It comes after the Met Office issued a yellow warning for snow and ice across many parts of the UK today.
The warning shows that the entire east coast is affected by snow and ice, with the north of Scotland itself also suffering.
While areas previously around Northern Ireland and south-west England have been cleared, a section of the north-west coast covering southern Scotland and northern England is expected to be affected.
The warning also extends until Saturday covering only the most northerly parts of Scotland and much of the east coast now extending further south, as far south as Kent.
Parts of the northwest coast are also expected to be affected by snow and ice.
Overnight temperatures fell to -6C in southwest England, -8C in Wales and -10C in parts of Scotland, the Met Office said.
Further wintry showers are forecast along coastal areas during Friday
Overnight most places will remain dry with clearings leading to widespread hard frost.
Temperatures will probably reach -10C.
Coastal areas will experience winter showers while inland freezing fog is predicted.
Met Office meteorologist Ellie Glaisyer said: “It will be dry and bright for most of us. There will be wintry showers in the hills.
“There could be 2 to 5cm of snow for areas 100 to 200m above sea level, with rain at lower levels, particularly in Northern Ireland and western Scotland.
“The North York Moors and parts of Scotland are likely to get snow.
“There will be another big frost, with a maximum temperature of 5C in the south.”
Saturday is set to be another cold day, according to the Met Office, with plenty of sunny spells as well.
Coastal areas will see wintry showers again and these could move inland across Wales, the Midlands and SW England as the day progresses.
The UK’s Health Safety Agency and the Met Office have issued amber cold warnings for five regions: East Midlands, West Midlands, North West, North East and Yorkshire and the Humber; to December 5, meaning “the effects of the cold weather are likely to be felt across the health service for an extended period of time”.
For those who may be traveling on the roads this weekend, National Highways Network Manager, Dale Hipkiss, has advised motorists to keep winter gear in the car while driving.
“Keeping a kit of essentials like a flashlight and warm clothes in your vehicle can be crucial in case you and your passengers get stranded,” he said.
“Ice brings as many dangers as snow and ice, so please … plan your journey in advance, check the weather forecast, and if the weather conditions become challenging during your journey, adjust your driving behavior and take extra care.
“It’s also a good idea to have people check (your) vehicles, like tires, coolant and oil levels, etc. before heading out to reduce the risk of breakdowns.”
He added: “If you unfortunately find yourself in an unsafe or vulnerable situation and need help, please contact the emergency services.”
Over the next week the weather is likely to remain cold with a northeasterly flow bringing in cold air from the north.
The Met Office is forecasting plenty of dry, sunny weather for many, with showers still possible across the UK, particularly in eastern coastal areas.
However, the showers could turn wintry at times.
The weather will become increasingly unsettled and less cold in southern and central parts of the country next week, but it is likely to remain cold with further wintry showers on the coast to the north.
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Snow covered road in Hartlepool, Teesside delaying commuters this morningCredit: Jordan Crosby
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De-icing of planes at Edinburgh Airport as temperatures drop below -3C in the Scottish capitalCredit: SWNS
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Dog walkers braving the snow in Suffolk this morningCredit: Scott Huntley/HVC
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The fields of Grantown on Spey, Scotland, were transformed into a winter wonderland todayCredit: Getty
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An early riser wrapped up warmly to face the cold conditions in the Yorkshire town of MaltonCredit: LNP
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A woman walks along a snow-covered road in the coastal village of Cullercoats in North TynesideCredit: NNP
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