UK weather: Cold snap with temperatures of -10C and snow to last ‘seven days’

The severe cold snap expected to bring “blizzard conditions” and temperatures below -10C to parts of the UK is now forecast to last at least seven days.

The Met Office has issued a flurry of weather warnings across the UK on Wednesday and Thursday, and advises residents to brace for travel disruption and hazardous conditions as Arctic winds bring snow to northern Scotland, and ice and sub-zero nights across the rest of Britain.

“The pattern for the next seven days is that it will remain cold and we will see double digit minus figures overnight in areas that are prone to frosts and areas where there is lying snow,” a Met Office spokesperson said.

Health authorities have issed their own alert and have advised people to keep the main room in their homes heated to at least 18C where possible, with drivers warned to check their cars and carry provisions in case of a breakdown.

In Sheffield, the Red Cross has been drafted in and a “major incident” declared, after a burst water main left thousands without gas in the face of plunging temperatures.

Key Points

• Fresh weather alerts issued across UK

• Cold snap to last ‘at least seven days'

• Arctic wind brings risk of -10C

• Older people may be at risk from coming freeze

• Warning for drivers as snow sweeps in

Temperatures remain at freezing in parts of southern England

Wednesday 7 December 2022 08:48 , Andy Gregory

Temperatures in parts England remain at freezing this morning, according to the Met Office.

Forecasts for 9am remain at 0C as far south as Swindon and Warminster, falling to -1C further north in Buxton and -2C in Preston.

Here is the broad outlook for 9am:

People at risk of cold weather advised to heat homes to at least 18C

Wednesday 7 December 2022 09:19 , Andy Gregory

Health authorities have issued their second-strongest warning for cold weather, and caution that the icy conditions could increase health risks to vulnerable patients and disrupt the delivery of services.

“Cold weather can have serious consequences for health, and older people and those with heart or lung conditions can be particularly at risk,” said Dr Agostinho Sousa, Consultant in Public Health Medicine at UKHSA.

“If you have a pre-existing medical condition, you should heat your home to a temperature that is comfortable for you.

“In rooms you mostly use such as the living room or bedroom, try to heat them to at least 18C if you can. Keep your bedroom windows closed at night. Wearing several layers of clothing will keep you warmer than one thicker layer.”

Emergency measures implemented in London to shield homeless from freezing temperatures

Wednesday 7 December 2022 09:37 , Andy Gregory

Homeless people in London are to be sheltered from freezing temperatures in emergency accommodation, as the capital’s Severe Weather Emergency Protocol (SWEP) is activated for the first time this winter.

Parts of London will drop as low as minus three during the week, with mayor Sadiq Khan warning too many face sleeping on streets without safe accommodation.

All boroughs have committed to the mayor’s “In for Good” principle, meaning no-one will be asked to leave accommodation until a support plan is in place to end their rough sleeping, regardless of an increase in temperature.

The latest figures show the number of people sleeping rough in London has jumped 24 per cent in the past year, with more than 3,600 sleeping on the capital’s streets between June and September. Rough sleeping services are also helping more people than ever before.

Londoners told to download app to help rough sleepers in icy weather

Wednesday 7 December 2022 10:01 , Andy Gregory

Londoners have been encouraged to download the Streetlink app to help connect rough sleepers with support services, as the capital’s emergency cold weather protocols were activated for the first time this winter.

“Too many people are facing a freezing winter on the streets of the capital without the safe, secure accommodation they need,” said London mayor Sadiq Khan.

“Across the capital, we are doing everything we can to prevent anyone sleeping rough in these freezing conditions as we work to build a fairer and safer London for everyone.

“I am also encouraging Londoners to download the Streetlink app or use the Streetlink website to connect people they see sleeping rough with local support services. London’s councils and charities will be working even harder this week to support some of the most vulnerable people in our city.”

Homeless people in London to be sheltered as temperatures drop below freezing

Breaking: New ice warnings issued across UK

Wednesday 7 December 2022 10:32 , Andy Gregory

The Met Office has issued a further three weather warnings across the UK – due to come into force this evening.

The new alerts for icy weather have been issued in Wales, Northern Ireland and England’s South West, and will remain in place from 5pm this evening until 6pm on Thursday.

They are in addition to existing weather alerts for ice and snow in northern Scotland, and icy conditions along the northeast coast of England.

‘Major incident’ declared in Sheffield as thousands face cold snap without gas

Wednesday 7 December 2022 10:59 , Andy Gregory

A “major incident” has been declared in Sheffield as thousands were left to brave freezing temperatures without gas in their homes.

Engineers have been scrambling to restore supplies for five days now in parts of the South Yorkshire city, after a burst water main damaged a gas pipe – sending hundreds of litres of water pouring into the network.

Gas supplies were said to have been restored on Tuesday to around a quarter of those impacted, after some 2,000 homes in the Stannington area were hit by the outage on Friday.

But with temperatures plunging below 0C overnight and thousands of people still left without heating or hot water, Sheffield City Council declared a major incident.

Thousands to face cold snap without gas as temperatures set to plummet to -10C

New ice warning issued in Devon and Cornwall

Wednesday 7 December 2022 11:32 , Andy Gregory

Here are more details on the fresh weather warnings issued this morning for icy conditions in parts of the UK – with a new warning set to come into force later today in parts of Devon and Cornwall.

Met Office issues fresh warnings for ice across UK

Chancellor asked to give Sheffield emergency funds as thousands face cold snap without gas

Wednesday 7 December 2022 11:55 , Andy Gregory

Olivia Blake, the Labour MP for Sheffield Hallam, has asked chancellor Jeremy Hunt for emergency funding for the city’s council, after a burst water main left thousands of residents to face the cold snap without gas in their homes.

“I have further meetings planned with Yorkshire Water and I am in ongoing talks with the leadership of the council on getting support to residents,” Ms Blake said.

“I have also spoken directly with the chancellor of the Exchequer urging him to provide emergency funding to the council and have written to him formally, alongside the secretaries of state for business, for the environment, and for levelling-up, to request urgent assistance.

“My heart goes out to all those affected – this is a terrible thing to happen at any time, let alone weeks before the holiday season.”

Snowy showers expected tonight across UK

Wednesday 7 December 2022 12:22 , Andy Gregory

Here is the Met Office outlook for the coming hours:

Today

Wintry showers affecting northern Scotland, Northern Ireland, Wales and eastern England, with snow settling on hills in the north. Mostly sunny elsewhere but feeling cold.

Tonight

Widespread frost with some icy surfaces. Sleet and snow showers most frequent across northern Scotland, but also affecting parts of Northern Ireland, north Wales and eastern England at times.

Temperatures largely in low-single figures this afternoon

Wednesday 7 December 2022 12:50 , Andy Gregory

Temperatures largely remain just a few degrees above freezing as we head into the afternoon in the south of England.

As of 1pm, temperatures are expected to be just 1C in Buxton and 2C in Birmingham, according to the Met Office.

The picture remains similar across the entire UK, with temperatures reaching only as high as 6C in Stranraer, 5C in Belfast and Cardiff, and 7C in Plymouth.

Afternoon to be ‘a cold one for all’, says Met Office

Wednesday 7 December 2022 13:19 , Andy Gregory

Snow showers will feed into northern Scotland this afternoon, while showers for coasts of Northern Ireland and eastern England will fall as rain, according to the Met Office.

However it will be “a cold one for all”.

Cold snap to last ‘at least seven days'

Wednesday 7 December 2022 13:47 , Andy Gregory

The current cold snap is expected to last for at least seven days, the Met Office has warned – but it is not expected to be as tough as the “hard December” of 2010.

“We are in this pattern for seven days at least,” said Met Office spokesperson Grahame Madge. “We could see it continue for a while longer, there’s uncertainty in the evolution and how long it will last.

“However, the pattern for the next seven days is that it will remain cold and we will see double digit minus figures overnight in areas that are prone to frosts and areas where there is lying snow.”

Red Cross assisting in Sheffield as residents left without gas

Wednesday 7 December 2022 14:14 , Andy Gregory

The Red Cross are assisting in Sheffield after a burst water main left thousands of residents without gas in the face of the approaching cold snap, prompting calls for compensation for residents’ electricity use as they resort to using heaters instead.

Stannington resident Christine Vickers said the elderly people she looks after in a sheltered housing block are worried about their electricity bills as they are using heaters to keep warm.

Ms Vickers said she had been into Lomas Hall, where gas firm Cadent and other agencies have set up a help centre, to ask about how the residents will get compensation for their electricity use.

“I’ve been saying to them: ‘Please use your heating, don’t get cold and you’ll get some compensation’,” she said. “But they are all worrying. They’re worrying about their bills.”

“We’re worrying because the temperatures are dropping quite drastically. We get a lot of snow up here in Stannington and they are forecasting snow. So, a lot of people are getting concerned that we’ve not showers and heating and everything for when the snow comes,” Ms Vickers added.

From blizzards to northern lights for parts of Scotland

Wednesday 7 December 2022 14:46 , Andy Gregory

In happier news for northern Scotland, which faced warnings of “blizzard conditions” today, parts of the region could be treated to the sight of the aurora borealis tonight.

“The influence of minor geomagnetic storms will help enhance the possibility for those with clearer spells between the showers,” according to the Met Office.

Government ‘yet to respond’ on request for help for Sheffield residents without gas

Wednesday 7 December 2022 15:05 , Andy Gregory

Sheffield Hallam’s MP is “yet to receive a response” to her letter asking the government for help for residents left without gas in the city in the face of plunging temperatures after a water main burst.

Raising a point of order in the House of Commons, Labour MP Olivia Blake said: “I am very conscious that the council don’t just need money, they need resources now. There are parts that are needed for boilers to do the repairs, there are meters that need to be replaced.

“This is a huge effort, this has resulted in water flowing out of people’s ovens, flowing out of people’s fires, flowing out of their boilers which should be sealed, and getting past the water meters.

“This is an unprecedented and novel – it has been described to me – incident which really needs some support and action to make sure that we have the right infrastructure on the ground and I don’t think it can be left to the local authorities to organise that.”

Deputy Commons speaker Nigel Evans agreed the incident was “appalling” but said he had not been notified of a statement from the government about it.

Wednesday 7 December 2022 15:31 , Andy Gregory

Here are some images from photojournalists across the UK today as the country braces for a lengthy cold snap:

Fire service urges caution as people seek alternative ways to heat their homes

Wednesday 7 December 2022 15:56 , Andy Gregory

Firefighters have shared tips on how to remain safe as people seek alternative ways to keep their homes warm.

Damaged electric blankets and heaters left on overnight have already caused fires in some homes, the Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service warned, advising people:

• To keep 1m between electric heaters and clothing/furniture

• Not to use hot water bottles with electric blankets

• Not to leave electric blankets/heaters on overnight

• To make sure smoke alarms are working

Snow showers expected across UK tonight

Wednesday 7 December 2022 16:20 , Andy Gregory

Here is the current Met Office outlook for tonight and Thursday:

Tonight

Widespread frost with some icy surfaces. Sleet and snow showers most frequent across northern Scotland, but also affecting parts of Northern Ireland, north Wales and eastern England at times.

Thursday

Frequent snow showers northern Scotland may extend to other parts of northern Britain, with a risk of wintry showers across the far west too. Crisp and cold elsewhere.

Temperatures to hit zero in southern parts of England this evening

Wednesday 7 December 2022 16:54 , Andy Gregory

Temperatures are expected to fall below freezing as far south as Stratford-upon-Avon by 5pm this evening, according to the Met Office.

Thermometers will shortly be grazing 0C in many locations across the south of England, dropping to the freezing mark by 6pm in Oxford, Milton Keynes and Llandovery in Wales.

The picture is largely the same further north – with temperatures hitting -1C in Buxton and -2C in Settle by 6pm.

England football team could face rain in Qatar for World Cup clash with France

Wednesday 7 December 2022 17:22 , Andy Gregory

As the UK faces a severe cold snap, England’s men’s football team could also be set for rain in Qatar during their World Cup clash against France.

Footage posted on Wednesday by the Qatar Meteorology Department showed heavy rain and what appeared to be a tornado near Ras Laffan.

The northern industrial hub is near the Al Bayt Stadium which will host Saturday’s game.

The department earlier this week forecast Qatar will be “affected by a rainy state of varying intensity at intermittent intervals” from Wednesday until Saturday.

Sun-seekers advised to head inland

Wednesday 7 December 2022 18:20 , Andy Gregory

Those seeking sun should head to inland parts of England and Wales, the Met Office has said.

The national forecaster shared a satellite image showing the parts of Britain still relatively clear of cloud and rain.

Gritters out as icy conditions loom

Wednesday 7 December 2022 19:30 , Liam James

Gritter are out across Britain as forecasters warn of potentially dangerous icy conditions.

Many local authorities run an online gritter tracking service. Here are the links for Essex, North Yorkshire and Ayrshire.

Freezing weather drives fears for gas-cut village

Wednesday 7 December 2022 20:30 , Liam James

Council leaders said they are “deeply concerned” about plummeting temperatures after they declared a major incident in a Sheffield suburb which has had no gas for five days.

People living in the Stannington area of the South Yorkshire city have been told they may be without gas heating and cooking appliances until the weekend after a water main burst on Friday night, sending hundreds of thousands of litres of water into the gas network.

Around 2,000 homes have been affected in the village, which rises to around 800ft above sea level and saw temperatures drop below freezing on Tuesday night.

Tonight is expected to be even colder, with forecasters expecting an overnight low of around minus 4C, and snow possible later in the week.

Cadent – the firm which runs the gas network – said it has 150 people working day-and-night in the area and has begun to reconnect some homes.

Stannington resident Christine Vickers said the elderly people she looks after in a sheltered housing block are worried about their electricity bills as they are using heaters to keep warm.

She said: “I’ve been saying to them: ‘Please use your heating, don’t get cold and you’ll get some compensation.’ But they are all worrying. They’re worrying about their bills.”

Han Snow-lo and Spready Mercury: Meet Scotland’s gritters

Wednesday 7 December 2022 21:30 , Liam James

We mentioned earlier that you can track gritters in some local areas [see 7.30 post].

This service is not only available for all of Scotland’s trunk roads but each of the gritters has been named with a work-related pun.

For example, On Her Majesty’s Slippery Surface, which was near the M8 earlier, Han Snow-lo, on the A74 near Gretna Green, and Spready Mercury, also on the A74.

More to be seen at Traffic Scotland.

Cold snap to last at least a week, Met Office says

Wednesday 7 December 2022 22:30 , Liam James

Icy conditions with overnight double-digit sub zero temperatures in exposed parts of the UK could last for at least a week, the Met Office has said (Tom Wilkinson writes).

The forecaster extended Wednesday’s yellow weather warnings into Thursday and Friday, with ice in coastal and northern England, with both snow and ice expected in northern Scotland.

Arctic air, dubbed the Troll of Trondheim, will quickly move south during Wednesday, leaving most of the country in its grip by Thursday morning.

Met Office spokesman Grahame Madge said: “We are in this pattern for seven days at least. We could see it continue for a while longer, there’s uncertainty in the evolution and how long it will last.

“However, the pattern for the next seven days is that it will remain cold and we will see double digit minus figures overnight in areas that are prone to frosts and areas where there is lying snow.”

There was no expectation of widespread heavy snow, but wintry showers were expected during the cold spell, particularly on higher ground and by the coast, Mr Madge said.

Mr Madge said although this will be a cold snap, it will not be as tough as the “hard December” of 2010.

Warning for drivers as snow sweeps in

Wednesday 7 December 2022 23:30 , Liam James

The RAC has advised motorists to check their vehicles are “winter ready” as snow and sub-zero temperatures approach.

Spokesperson Rod Dennis said: “With temperatures plummeting this week, many drivers might be taken aback by the cold after an exceptionally mild autumn.

“Drivers with older batteries in their cars might also wish to give their vehicle a 20-minute drive before colder conditions arrive to ensure the battery can cope with sub-zero temperatures.”

The motoring firm said drivers should ensure they have properly inflated tyres that have good tread and suggested topping up oil, coolant and screen wash levels.

“It’s also worth having a fully-charged mobile phone and carrying a blanket in case of a breakdown to keep warm,” Mr Dennis added.

Fire service warns of ‘alternative heating’ dangers as temperatures drop below freezing

Thursday 8 December 2022 01:00 , Liam James

As UK temperatures plummet below freezing, fire services have warned of the dangers of alternative heating.

That includes lighting fire places, wood burners, using hot water bottles, electric heaters and electric blankets.

The Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Services (TWFRS) have advised people to practice fire safety during the cold snap, as households across the UK face soaring energy bills.

With gas prices having risen by 80 per cent on 1 October, many are turning to alternative forms of heating their homes, using hot water bottles, heaters and electric blankets to keep warm.

A yellow weather warning is in place for the majority of England and Scotland’s east coast, applying to all coastal areas between Orford in Suffolk and North Berwick in East Lothian.

Fire service warns of ‘alternative heating’ dangers as sub zero temperatures hit UK

Homeless people in London to be sheltered as temperatures drop below freezing

Thursday 8 December 2022 02:30 , Liam James

Homeless people in London are to be sheltered with temperatures set to plummet below freezing during ice-cold evenings.

The capital’s Severe Weather Emergency Protocol has been activated for the first time this winter to provide emergency accommodation for rough sleepers.

Parts of London will drop as low as minus three during the week, with mayor Sadiq Khan warning too many face sleeping on streets without safe accommodation.

All boroughs have committed to the Mayor’s “In for Good” principle, meaning no one will be asked to leave accommodation until a support plan is in place to end their rough sleeping, regardless of an increase in temperature.

Latest figures show the number of people sleeping rough in London has jumped 24 per cent in the past year, with more than 3,600 sleeping on the capital’s streets between June and September.

Homeless people in London to be sheltered as temperatures drop below freezing

In pictures: Early morning sunlight on a freezing day

Thursday 8 December 2022 04:00 , Liam James

Beautiful light on a chilly morning near Leeds yesterday.

UK could see heavy snow this week, says Met Office

Thursday 8 December 2022 05:30 , Liam James

Alex Deakin of the Met Office explores the likelihood of Britain being hit with snow this week.

The forecaster detailed the Met Office’s prediction of an around one in three chance of heavy snow moving up from southern England with a low pressure front.

He said it was more likely, at 70 per cent, the low pressure front would largely miss Britain, with snow mainly falling in Scotland and along the east coast.

People at risk of cold weather advised to heat homes to at least 18C

Thursday 8 December 2022 07:00 , Liam James

Health authorities have issued their second-strongest warning for cold weather, and caution that the icy conditions could increase health risks to vulnerable patients and disrupt the delivery of services.

“Cold weather can have serious consequences for health, and older people and those with heart or lung conditions can be particularly at risk,” said Dr Agostinho Sousa, Consultant in Public Health Medicine at UKHSA.

“If you have a pre-existing medical condition, you should heat your home to a temperature that is comfortable for you.

“In rooms you mostly use such as the living room or bedroom, try to heat them to at least 18C if you can. Keep your bedroom windows closed at night. Wearing several layers of clothing will keep you warmer than one thicker layer.”

Snowfall affecting roads in northern Scotland

Thursday 8 December 2022 07:37 , Andy Gregory

Snow is blanketing roads across northern Scotland, according to Traffic Scotland – in conditions that appear likely to be slowing travel.

Temperatures fell to -5C on Wednesday

Thursday 8 December 2022 07:49 , Andy Gregory

The coldest weather recorded in the UK yesterday was -5.7C in the Cumbrian village of Shap, according to the Met Office.

Thermometers rose as high as 9C in Chivenor, north Devon.

Arctic air to also bring ‘brighter conditions'

Thursday 8 December 2022 08:05 , Andy Gregory

In addition to sub-zero temperatures, the blast of Arctic air driving this week’s cold snap will also bring “brighter conditions”, a meteorologist has said.

“As an Arctic maritime airmass settles across the UK temperatures will fall with widespread overnight frosts, severe in places, and daytime temperatures only a few degrees above freezing,” said Met Office forecaster Steve Willington.

“However, the cold air from the Arctic will also bring brighter conditions, with some dry, sunny spells, particularly away from the coast and where winds are light it could feel pleasant in the sunshine. Some patchy freezing fog is also likely.”

More weather alerts may be needed this week, Met Office warns

Thursday 8 December 2022 08:30 , Andy Gregory

There may be more weather alerts issued later this week, a Met Office forecaster has warned.

A flurry of warnings for ice – and snow in Scotland – have already been issued across the UK for Thursday and Friday, blanketing the vast majority of the country.

“Yellow national severe weather warnings for ice and snow have been issued for parts of Scotland, Northern Ireland, Wales and the east coast and South West England,” said meteorologist Steve Willington.

“Showers will turn more wintry with an increasing risk of snow as the week progresses, particularly in coastal areas or over higher ground. There will be widespread frosts with temperatures falling to as low as -10C overnight in isolated spots by the end of the week.

“More severe weather warnings may be needed as we head through the week. Keep up to date on the latest weather warnings on our website.”

Mercury fell to nearly -9C last night

Thursday 8 December 2022 08:47 , Andy Gregory

Temperatures fell as low as -8.9C last night in the Cumbrian village of Shap, as thermometers widely recorded temperatures below freezing across the rest of the country, according to the Met Office.

Snow showers pass over Scotland and Northern Ireland

Thursday 8 December 2022 09:06 , Andy Gregory

The BBC has this graphic of the snow showers passing over Scotland and Northern Ireland this morning:

Roads closed and vehicles stuck in snow in Scotland

Thursday 8 December 2022 09:27 , Andy Gregory

Roads have been closed due to the snow in Scotland, with reports of vehicles becoming stuck and bus services disrupted in Aberdeen.

Snow gates have been closed in Glenshee and on the A939 Tomintoul to Cock Bridge road.

Vehicles were also getting stuck in snow on the A96, according to Traffic Scotland.

There are reports of HGVs getting stuck on Westburn Road in Aberdeen, according to the BBC.

And First Aberdeen said all of its bus services in the city were disrupted “due to heavy overnight snow and a lack of snow gritters” – with many roads blocked across the city.

Scores of schools closed in Aberdeenshire

Thursday 8 December 2022 09:43 , Andy Gregory

Scores of schools have been closed in Aberdeenshire and Moray as snow causes travel disruption in the north of Scotland.

At least 60 schools have been closed today, with others cancelling bus services in the face of the severe cold snap.

Inland areas to experience ‘freezing fog patches’, Met Office says

Thursday 8 December 2022 10:02 , Andy Gregory

The cold snap is expected to last until next week, with sleet, snow and ice possible – particularly along the east coast, according to the Met Office.

Further inland, conditions are expected to be dry with widespread hard frosts and patchy, freezing fog, the national forecaster said.

“Through the weekend and into next week cold weather will continue, with an ongoing chance of wintry showers, mainly for coasts, and freezing fog patches inland,” said deputy chief meteorologist, Jason Kelly.

“An area of low pressure may then threaten southern and southwestern parts of the UK through mid-week. Confidence in the exact track of this system is low, but should it push precipitation into the UK, then this would readily turn to snow, with a lower chance of freezing rain.

“How far north the milder air gets is also open to a lot of uncertainty, but for now, many central and northern areas are likely to remain in the Arctic airmass.”

Drivers urged to be ‘winter-ready'

Thursday 8 December 2022 10:30 , Andy Gregory

The RAC has urged drivers to be “winter-ready” as temperatures plummet after “an exceptionally mild autumn”.

“With temperatures plummeting this week, many drivers might be taken aback by the cold after an exceptionally mild autumn,” said RAC spokesperson Rod Dennis.

“Our advice is to be winter ready – check tyres are properly inflated and with good tread, while topping up oil, coolant and screen wash levels if needed.

“Drivers with older batteries in their cars might also wish to give their vehicle a 20-minute drive before colder conditions arrive to ensure the battery can cope with sub-zero temperatures. It’s also worth having a fully-charged mobile phone and carrying a blanket in case of a breakdown to keep warm.”

Temperatures well below zero this morning across the country

Thursday 8 December 2022 10:56 , Andy Gregory

Here are more icy temperatures from across the country this morning, via BBC meteorologist Simon King.

Manchester United opens hub for those seeking shelter from cold weather

Thursday 8 December 2022 11:24 , Andy Gregory

Manchester United has opened a warm room for people struggling with the cold weather and cost of living crisis, the South West News Service reports.

The football club has created a hub in the Red Cafe at their Old Trafford stadium for children and adults, available for three weeks between 5pm and 8pm for those seeking relief from the icy conditions, after opening earlier this week.

2022 set to be ‘one of warmest years on record'

Thursday 8 December 2022 11:52 , Andy Gregory

Despite the currently icy conditions in the UK, scientists now expect that 2022 will turn out to have been one of the warmest years on record globally.

Snow hits Scottish capital

Thursday 8 December 2022 12:21 , Andy Gregory

Edinburgh residents have been sharing images of snow in the Scottish capital on social media this morning.

Overnight temperature of -9C recorded in Scotland

Thursday 8 December 2022 12:40 , Andy Gregory

The BBC is reporting an overnight temperature of -9.3C on the mountain of Anoch Mor, close to Ben Nevis.

‘Increasing risk of snow as the week progresses’, says Met Office

Thursday 8 December 2022 13:16 , Andy Gregory

There is an “increasing risk of snow as the week progresses”, the Met Office has said.

“Showers will turn more wintry with an increasing risk of snow as the week progresses, particularly in coastal areas or over higher ground,” said Met Office chief meteorologist Steve Willington.

“There will be widespread frosts with temperatures falling to as low as -10C overnight in isolated spots by the end of the week.”

With dozens of schools closed today in the Aberdeenshire area, the Met Office has reported 5cm of snow in Aboyne and 3cm at Dyce.

‘Thundersnow’ strikes in Aberdeenshire

Thursday 8 December 2022 13:38 , Andy Gregory

“Thundersnow” has struck in Aberdeenshire, as thunderstorms illuminate the falling snow.

“Whilst most of the showers around the coasts are falling as rain or sleet today, there's been some snow over the hills,” said the Met Office. “There's even been some thunderstorms in Aberdeenshire, giving localised thundersnow over higher ground.”

Snow and ice warning extended in Scotland until Sunday

Thursday 8 December 2022 14:06 , Andy Gregory

The weather warning for snow and ice, in force across the vast majority of Scotland, has now been extended all the way through until Sunday lunchtime.

Warning that snow showers and icy surfaces will bring some travel disruption, the Met Office says to expect:

• Some roads and railways likely to be affected with longer journey times by road, bus and train services

• Some injuries from slips and falls on icy surfaces

• Probably some icy patches on some untreated roads, pavements and cycle paths

Minister pressed on threat of blackouts during freezing weather

Thursday 8 December 2022 14:35 , Andy Gregory

Cabinet Office minister Oliver Dowden has insisted he has confidence in the power networks “barring a very exceptional circumstance” when asked about the threat of blackouts during freezing weather.

Labour MP Afzal Khan told the Commons: “The UK’s power supply is already stretched to breaking point with the National Grid telling us that blackouts are now a very real possibility”, and asked Mr Dowden to “urgently explain to my vulnerable constituents what they should do to remain safe and warm in the event of a power blackout during freezing cold temperatures”.

Mr Dowden said: “In respect of the winter weather, the Cabinet Office is keeping a close eye on it, and indeed I have been briefed on the situation. On the wider situation in relation to energy supply, I am working closely with my colleague [business secretary Grant Shapps].

“He and I have strong confidence about the resilience of the UK power networks. And excepting a very exceptional circumstance, we are confident that we will continue supply throughout the winter.”

‘You haven’t taken it seriously’: Yorkshire Water director confronted by resident in Sheffield

Thursday 8 December 2022 15:02 , Andy Gregory

Yorkshire Water’s director of water, Neil Dewis, has confronted by an angry resident as he joined other agencies’ representatives for a press conference in the Stannington area of Sheffield this afternoon, where thousands have been left without gas in freezing temperatures after a burst water main flooded the system.

Since the weekend, more than 200 engineers from distribution company Cadent have been working to restore gas to almost 2,000 homes which lost their supply as temperatures plummeted.

Lyndsey Hudson, who said she found her house flooding at the weekend due to the incident, told Mr Dewis that Cadent and the other agencies involved had provided “brilliant” help – but Yorkshire Water had not listened to her pleas.

“They have not been on the ground and they have not listened. Cadent have been brilliant. Northern Powergrid have been amazing on our road. But nobody from Yorkshire Water ... You haven’t taken it seriously.”

Mr Dewis apologised and asked for Ms Hudson’s details.

Mercury drops below freezing in south of England

Thursday 8 December 2022 15:49 , Andy Gregory

As of 4pm, temperatures are expected to hit freezing in parts of England’s southernmost counties.

Thermometers will fall to 0C in Tenterden, Kent, and -1C in Warminster, while further north near Stoke-on-Trent it will hit -3C.

Watch: Today’s Met Office forecast

Thursday 8 December 2022 16:07 , Andy Gregory

Here was the outlook this morning from Met Office meteorologist Clare Nasir:

More than 1,000 homes still without gas in freezing conditions in Sheffield

Thursday 8 December 2022 16:33 , Andy Gregory

More than 1,000 homes remain without gas in Sheffield, where temperatures lingered at -2C until 9am this morning, with a high of 3C at midday.

Richard Sansom, the gas firm Cadent’s network director for East Midlands, told a press conference that 1,080 customers still have no gas, but almost 700 have been reconnected during the week.

He said he is confident that around 1,000 homes in the Stannington area will be reconnected by the weekend.

But he said the firm is still extracting a large amount of water from the network in the Malin Bridge and Hillsborough areas, and a small number of affected households in those parts of the city may not be reconnected as quickly.

Frost to arrive for many areas in coming hours

Thursday 8 December 2022 17:01 , Andy Gregory

Here is how forecasters expect the rest of the day to progress, with “many places quickly turning frosty this evening under clear skies”.

Snow showers over Sunderland

Thursday 8 December 2022 18:01 , Mustafa Qadri

Snow fall spotted showering over Sunderland eariler this evening, according to the BBC.

The Met Office believe Sunderland could drop to one degree celsius by 10pm today.

Five hours of snow expected to hit London

Thursday 8 December 2022 19:00 , Sam Rkaina

A light snowfall is predicted to settle in London next Friday - December 16, according to the BBC’s weather forecast.

Snow is expected to descend on the capital between 6am and 11am, and comes after a week of cold days and sub zero nights due next week.

Temperatures expected to fall to minus 10

Thursday 8 December 2022 20:06 , Mustafa Qadri

Scotland and parts of Northern England are expected to hit as low as minus 10.

The Met Office have issued Yellow National Severe Weather Warnings for ice and snow for parts of Scotland, Northern Ireland, Wales and the east coast and South West England.

Guide to cold weather payments

Thursday 8 December 2022 21:00 , Sam Rkaina

People on the lowest incomes in hundreds of affected postcode districts will receive a £25 cold weather payment due to the freezing conditions.

The Government payments have been triggered for eligible households in areas where the average temperature has been recorded as, or is forecast to be, 0C or below over seven consecutive days.

The Met Office has warned that temperatures “falling close to minus 10C” could be recorded in rural parts of the UK on Thursday.

The bank top-up of £25 will be in eligible people’s bank account within 14 days of the trigger, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) said.

People claiming pension credit, income support, income-based jobseeker’s allowance, income-related employment and support allowance, universal credit and support for mortgage interest could be eligible for the cold weather payments, DWP guidance says.

It said cold weather payments have been triggered in areas across the North West, including in Rochdale, Greater Manchester, in parts of the South West, such as near Exeter, and in Nottingham in the East Midlands, among others.

Parts of Powys in east-central Wales, Oxfordshire and Herefordshire, also have affected postcodes.

The cold weather payments are only paid in England and Wales.

In Scotland, people on benefits or low incomes may qualify for an annual £50 winter heating payment, though this is made irrespective of cold temperatures.

All the weather warnings still in place as cold snap continues

Thursday 8 December 2022 22:00 , Sam Rkaina

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has issued a Level 3 cold weather alert covering England until Monday.

The Met Office has warned motorists that wintry showers will create hazardous, icy patches on some roads over the coming days during the cold snap.

The forecaster has extended Thursday’s yellow weather warning for snow and ice in Northern Scotland until 12pm on Sunday.

It comes after thundersnow, a phenomenon when thunderstorms form in wintry conditions and sometimes give rise to heavy snow downpours, was observed in Scotland on Thursday, it said.

Yellow warnings for ice in coastal and northern England and parts of Wales and Northern Ireland have also been issued for Friday.

The icy conditions in coastal England and parts of Northern Ireland and Wales are expected to continue into Saturday, it has warned.

It said some disruption is likely, with icy patches on untreated roads, pavements and cycle paths likely to cause disruption.

Some injuries from slips and falls on icy surfaces are also likely, it has said.

The Met Office has urged people to take extra care when driving or walking and to consider not cycling in the icy areas.

Thursday 8 December 2022 22:53 , Sam Rkaina

We’re ending our live coverage of the weather for today, but keep checking independent.co.uk for the latest updates.