Weather UK forecast LIVE – Beast From The East BLANKETS south in snow & ice as Britain freezes amid cold warning alerts
THE Beast from the East saw the south east hit with snow blizzards and freezing winds – with more UK wide warnings in place until Wednesday.
Essex, Norfolk, Suffolk, Kent and Medway are all regions which that have been hit by an “area of widespread, persistent and occasionally heavy snow” through.
An amber warning is in place until Monday in the south east of England, which reads: “Accumulations of snow will be widely 5-10cm with 15-20cm in places and a small chance of 25-30cm for a few sites."
Meanwhile, new warnings for snow and ice across eastern areas the length of Britain are in place until Wednesday.
The Met Office said Sunday started “on a wintry note in some areas, with rain turning increasingly to snow across the south-east of the UK, and snow showers feeding into the north-east.”
Follow our weather live blog below for the latest news and updates from around the country
- Joseph Gamp
AMBER WEATHER WARNING EXTENDED INTO MONDAY
An amber weather warning for snow issued by the Met Office has been extended to include more areas.
An area of widespread, persistent and occasionally heavy snow will affect parts of the south-east and east of England throughout today and into Monday.
Accumulations of snow will be widely 5-10cm, with 15-2 cm in places, and a small chance of 25-30cm for a few sites.
Very strong easterly winds with gusts of 40-45mph inland and 50-55mph along north-east facing coasts will also lead to drifting of lying snow.
- Joseph Gamp
ALL OF ENGLAND UNDER COLD WEATHER ALERT UNTIL MID NEXT WEEK
Public Health England (PHE) has issued a cold weather alert for the whole of England through to Wednesday and urged people to check on frail or older neighbours or relatives, especially those living alone or who have serious illnesses.
Dr Owen Landeg, of PHE, said: "Cold weather isn't just uncomfortable, it can have a serious impact on health.
"For older people and those with heart and lung problems, it can increase the risks of heart attacks, strokes and chest infections."
- Joseph Gamp
VARIOUS WARNINGS IN PLACE FOR SNOW AND ICE ACROSS EAST OF UK UNTIL WEDNESDAY
Various warnings for snow and ice across eastern areas the length of Britain are in place until Wednesday.
The Met Office said Sunday started "on a wintry note in some areas, with rain turning increasingly to snow across the south-east of the UK, and snow showers feeding into the north-east."
The forecasters have warned of "significant disruptive snowfall" and gale-force winds in the south-east of England, with up to 30cm of snow possible in the Downs of Kent and the North Downs.
- Joseph Gamp
COVID VACCINE CENTRES IN ENGLAND CLOSING DUE TO HEAVY SNOW
Heavy snow has forced Covid vaccination centres to close as Storm Darcy continues to batter the country.
It comes as up to a foot of the white stuff is expected in places, with icy conditions wreaking havoc on the roads as temperatures plummet below freezing.
The severe weather prompted a coronavirus jab site in Colchester to shut its door early today.
The vaccine hub at Jobserve Community Centre closed at 1.30pm because of the persistent snowfall.
Clacton Hospital’s vaccination centre was also forced to shut because of heavy snow from Storm Darcy.
- Joseph Gamp
BITTER COLD WINDS BROUGHT FREZING SUB ZERO TEMPERATURES THIS AFTERNOON
- Joseph Gamp
ESSEX, KENT, NORFOLK AND SUFFOLK TO SEE SNOWFALL THROUGH TO MONDAY
Essex, Norfolk, Suffolk, Kent and Medway are all regions which are set to be hit by an "area of widespread, persistent and occasionally heavy snow" through to Monday, according to the amber warning.
There is also the potential for some significant accumulations across eastern parts of Norfolk, Suffolk, Essex and Kent.
The warning adds: "Accumulations of snow will be widely 5-10cm with 15-20cm in places and a small chance of 25-30cm for a few sites.
"Very strong easterly winds with gusts of 40-45mph inland and 50-55mph along north-east facing coasts will also lead to drifting of lying snow.
"During Monday morning the snow will turn more intermittent before gradually easing."
- Joseph Gamp
RISK OF HEART ATTACKS & STROKES RISES IN SEVERE COLD
“Cold weather isn’t just uncomfortable, it can have a serious impact on health.
“For older people and those with heart and lung problems, it can increase the risks of heart attacks, strokes and chest infections,” warns PHE’s Dr Owen Landeg.
Public Health England (PHE) has issued a cold weather alert for the whole of England from 9am Saturday February 6 to 9pm Wednesday February 10.
Temperatures beyond the weekend are likely to drop even lower with a very cold snap anticipated next week, it says.
- Joseph Gamp
ONE METRE OF SNOW IN GERMANY
While Brits are braced for Beast from the East II, Germany has been pummelled by a snowstorm and strong winds.
In the western city of Muenster, more than 30cm (almost 12 inches) of snow has fallen, piling up to one metre (over 3ft) in some parts.
Police said 28 people were injured on icy roads due to hundreds of road accidents in northern and western Germany.
Trains have been cancelled, and authorities have brought homeless people into warm shelters amid the sub-zero temperatures.
German Weather Service, DWD, urged people to stay at home.
- Debbie White
ODDS SLASHED ON COLDEST FEBRUARY SINCE RECORDS BEGAN
Bookmaker Coral now makes this February just 5-4 to be the coldest since records began, as temperatures plummet and forecasters warn of another Beast from the East.
"We're set for snow and icy conditions up and down the United Kingdom with a Beast from the East on the way, and in response we have slashed the odds on this February being the coldest since records began to just 5-4," said Coral's Harry Aitkenhead.
Coral are going 2-1 on the year 2021 to be the wettest year since records began after a soaking wet start to February.
"January left us drenched, and February has picked up exactly where it left off. We now make this year 2-1 to go into the record books as the wettest on record," added Aitkenhead.
- Debbie White
GET HELP PAYING ENERGY BILLS DURING COLD SNAPS
Snow and freezing temperatures have swept the country again and that means reaching for the thermostat.
Heating your home during a winter cold snap can increase energy bills – but there's help available if you're struggling or worried about costs.
You could be entitled to £25 a week if the temperature drops below zero in your area between November 1 and March 31, to help you pay for the increased energy costs.
The temperature will have to stay that low for seven consecutive days before the cold weather payment is handed out.
The payment has already been triggered in more than 100 postcodes this winter – find out which ones here.
- Debbie White
SNOW CLOSES COVID JAB CENTRES IN ENGLAND
Heavy snow has forced Covid vaccination centres to close as Storm Darcy continues to batter the country.
It comes as up to a foot of the white stuff is expected in places, with icy conditions wreaking havoc on the roads as temperatures plummet below freezing.
The severe weather prompted a coronavirus jab site in Colchester to shut its door early today.
The vaccine hub at Jobserve Community Centre closed at 1.30pm because of the persistent snowfall.
Clacton Hospital’s vaccination centre was also forced to shut because of heavy snow from Storm Darcy.
- Debbie White
FISHING DEATH OFF ISLES OF SCILLY
One man has died and another injured after an incident on a fishing vessel off the British coast, say Devon and Cornwall Police.
A coastguard helicopter and a RNLI lifeboat were sent to the boat, which was 50 miles off the coast of the Isles of Scilly on Saturday, February 6.
It is understood that the fishing vessel is now in Newlyn, Cornwall, but details of the incident are yet to be revealed.
- Debbie White
MONDAY – BONE-CHILLINGLY COLD
There could be "frequent lines of snow showers" brought in by gusty winds tomorrow, says BBC Weather.
That combination will make Monday feel "very cold indeed".
It'll be about 1C during the day.
Monday will also see sunny spells and scattered showers, coming in from the North Sea.
Above, the Met Office's temperature predictions for 3am Monday - Debbie White
EAST GETS SNOW DELUGE
The Met Office reports that the heaviest snow today has been "in the east of England this afternoon".
"Higher sea surface temperatures are intensifying the snowfall, giving heavier snow in eastern areas.
"There could be large differences in snow cover over a short distance," it adds.
- Debbie White
WINTRY WEATHER TO DOMINATE UK FOR NEXT FEW DAYS
Wintry weather is predicted to 'dominate' the UK over the next few days, says BBC Weather.
Biting easterly winds will "drive in snow showers" and there is still an amber warning for East Anglia, and parts of south-east England.
By the end of Monday, there could be in excess of 25cm of lying snow, "maybe more".
- Debbie White
HERTFORDSHIRE TO SEE HEAVIER SNOWFALL OVERNIGHT
Herts has so far managed to escape heavy snowfall today, reports Hertfordshire Mercury.
It says light snow has dusted Broxbourne, with "spells of heavy snow throughout the day from 7pm to 10pm and 4am onwards into Monday morning" in Hemel Hempstead.
Stevenage, St Albans, Tring and Hatfield are seeing light snow too, but heavier snow is predicted for the likes of Harpenden, Hertford, Hitchin and Letchworth Garden City later tonight, into Monday morning.
- Debbie White
COVID JAB CENTRE CLOSES BECAUSE OF SNOW
Clacton Hospital's vaccination centre has been forced to shut because of heavy snow from Storm Darcy, reports Essex Live.
However, jab centres in Southend-on-Sea, Wickford, Chelmsford, Colchester and Thurrock remain open, the website adds.
A spokesperson from the Essex Partnership University NHS Trust announed: "Our vaccination centre at Clacton Hospital is closed today because of the snow."
"We are very sorry for any disappointment or inconvenience caused."
Snow falling in Essex on SundayCredit: Scott Huntley/HVC - Katie Davis
AFFECTED AREAS – AMBER WARNING
The following places have been put under an amber warning for snow until midday on Monday:
East of England
- Essex
- Norfolk
- Southend-on-Sea
- Suffolk
- Thurrock
London & South East England
- Kent
- Medway
AMBER WARNING EXTENDED
An amber weather warning for snow issued by the Met Office has been extended to include more areas.
An area of widespread, persistent and occasionally heavy snow will affect parts of the south-east and east of England throughout today and into Monday.
Accumulations of snow will be widely 5-10cm, with 15-2 cm in places, and a small chance of 25-30cm for a few sites.
Very strong easterly winds with gusts of 40-45mph inland and 50-55mph along north-east facing coasts will also lead to drifting of lying snow.
WHERE IS THE HEAVIEST SNOWFALL?
UP TO 55MPH GALE-FORCE WINDS ON SUNDAY
Storm Darcy is the low pressure system bringing heavy snow and strong winds to East Anglia and south-east England, the Met Office said.
Weather warnings currently in place say to expect "very strong easterly winds with gusts of 40-45mph inland and 50-55mph along north-east facing coasts.
"[This will] lead to drifting of lying snow."
- Debbie White
HEAVY SNOW AND STRONG WINDS CHILL UK
As many of us are well aware, it is bitterly cold Sunday in the UK.
This is due to strong easterly winds hitting the country from Ukraine and the Black Sea area, the Met Office said.
Essex, Norfolk, Suffolk, Kent and Medway are all regions which are set to be hit by an "area of widespread, persistent and occasionally heavy snow" through to Monday, according to its amber warning.
There is also the potential for some significant accumulations across eastern parts of Norfolk, Suffolk, Essex and Kent.
- Debbie White
RISK OF HEART ATTACKS & STROKES RISES IN SEVERE COLD
"Cold weather isn’t just uncomfortable, it can have a serious impact on health.
"For older people and those with heart and lung problems, it can increase the risks of heart attacks, strokes and chest infections," warns PHE's Dr Owen Landeg.
Public Health England (PHE) has issued a cold weather alert for the whole of England from 9am Saturday February 6 to 9pm Wednesday February 10.
Temperatures beyond the weekend are likely to drop even lower with a very cold snap anticipated next week, it says.
- Debbie White
NOT AS COLD AS ORIGINAL BEAST FROM THE EAST
Various warnings for snow and ice across the eastern length of Britain are in place until Wednesday.
Forecasters have warned of "significant disruptive snowfall" and gale force winds in the South-East of England, with up to 30cm of snow possible in the Downs of Kent and the North Downs.
Such heavy snow is expected to bring widespread travel issues, especially in the south-east and East Anglia, as well as power cuts in parts of London and the east.
But the chill will not be as bitingly sharp as it was with the Beast from the East in 2018, according to the Met Office.
Snow has blanketed parts of the country, including Stowmarket in Suffolk Sheep in West Yorkshire after snowfall overnight - Debbie White
SNOW PLOUGH PLEA FOR MOTORISTS
In Kent, the county council highways service has pleaded with motorists to allow enough room for workers to clear thoroughfares.
The authority tweeted: "If you live on one of our primary salting routes, please ensure that you leave enough room for our vehicles with ploughs on to get through when you park.
"Snow is becoming more persistent.
"Crews will continue to treat and plough primary routes and [Kent's] Covid testing and vaccination site throughout the day.
"An amber snow warning is in place for parts of Kent."
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