UK weather: Met Office warns Brits to brace for MORE ice and snow tomorrow after flurries hit London & south of England

BRITONS have been urged to prepare for MORE ice and snow tomorrow after winds battered London and southern England today.

The Met Office has issued a new yellow weather warning for ice and “light snow” across large parts of England and Wales, which will continue into Tuesday.

Snow storm in Lenham, Kent, at lunchtimeCredit: PA

Man braves snow in shorts Credits: PA

The magical skyline of London this afternoonCredit: Alamy

Leeds Castle in Maidstone, Kent, became a winter wonderland todayCredit: AFP

Drivers are urged to use caution on icy roads like this one in Lenham

Shoppers battling heavy snow in Sevenoaks High Street, Kent, this afternoonCredit: LNP

More photos from Sevenoaks High Street today as the snow falls Credit: LNP

Snow covers houses in Ash, Kent this afternoonCredit: LNP

The Met Office has issued a new yellow warning for ice and ‘small amounts of snow’Credit: METOFFICE

The latest warning, which covers the whole of southern England and south Wales, came into effect at 3pm today and lasts until 3am tomorrow.

It came after an ice and wintry shower warning was issued for Kent, London, Surrey and Sussex at 4am this morning.

Ice and snow have already caused delays on roads and railways, and pedestrians and cyclists are also being urged to take care when walking.

The Met Office warns that there could be “some injuries from slips and falls on icy and snowy surfaces”, including roads, pavements and cycle paths.

Footage taken this morning shows an increase in traffic on roads including the M25 as snow begins to fall.

Snow will fall in the region overnight, before the warning ends at 3am tomorrow.

Heavy snow drifts of up to 3 cm could fall over northern valleys and grassy areas.

Temperatures are forecast to remain below freezing across much of the UK today.

The mercury dropped to -6C this morning in northern Scotland, which is already covered in snow and ice.

Wintry showers will spread westwards across the south tonight, while heavy frost is expected elsewhere.

In Scotland, the night will be cold with patches of freezing fog.

Tomorrow morning in the south-west and north-east there will be some showers.

The rest of the UK will be cool and dry with some sunny spells and strong winds.

At the end of this week, the weather will be dry and clear, with temperatures below average.

Forecasters said northern parts could see some wintry rain and drizzle.

There will be a “danger of snow showers” next weekend, especially in the north.

Next week, a cold weather front will push rain and snow from the west and southwest.

How to travel safely in the snow

Here’s the Met Office’s advice to motorists on how to stay safe on snowy or icy roads:

Before snow or ice

If you must travel when snow is forecast, make sure you have warm clothing, food, water, boots, a flashlight, and a shovel, and let someone know when you expect to arrive and your route. Try to wait until the roads are dusted before traveling
Place sand or cat litter on paths and driveways to reduce the risk of slipping on packed snow
Check for vulnerable neighbors

During snow or ice

Avoid traveling if possible
If you must drive, check the Highway Code for advice on driving in icy and snowy weather. The summary of the advice reads: Take care around the spreader. Don’t be tempted to overtake. Slow down – stopping in snowy or icy conditions can take 10 times longer, so leave more space. Use the highest possible gear to avoid wheel spin. Maneuver slowly and avoid sudden braking and acceleration. If you start to skid, release the gas pedal slightly and avoid braking. If braking is necessary, press the brakes, don’t press them. If you get stuck, stay with your car and tie something brightly colored to your antenna
If you go outside, wear several layers of clothing and keep them dry to prevent body heat loss. Watch for signs of hypothermia – uncontrollable shaking, slurred/slurred speech, memory loss and drowsiness and frostbite – loss of feeling and paleness of fingers, toes, nose and earlobes. Keep moving your arms and legs to help the blood circulate
Be aware of black ice. It is not always visible and can therefore pose an even greater danger to both drivers and pedestrians. Black ice can form when rain or sleet falls on a sub-zero road surface

On snow or ice

Be careful when walking or driving on packed snow – it may have frozen
Be careful when clearing snow. Cold air makes it difficult to work and breathe, which puts additional stress on the body and can cause heart attacks in the vulnerable
Travel tips