Overview
- An amber Met Office warning for parts of northern and eastern Scotland is in force from Friday noon to Saturday noon, with heavy snow, drifting, temporary blizzards and the risk of power cuts.
- Forecasters say snowfall could reach up to 40cm on higher Scottish ground with significant accumulations possible at lower levels, raising the risk of stranded vehicles and isolated communities.
- Yellow snow and ice alerts span large areas of the UK, including London, Greater Manchester and Cardiff on Friday, with further warnings issued into Sunday and Monday for parts of the North East, North West, Wales and South West.
- The UK Health Security Agency has extended its amber cold-health alert across England to 10am on January 9, warning of pressure on health and social care and a higher risk of deaths among vulnerable people.
- The Met Office expects the cold spell to last into next week; in the US, the National Weather Service in Detroit reports below-normal temperatures with only light snow or flurries likely.