WORST SNOW FOR 30 YEARS
Warning of a ‘risk to life’ as parts of UK face 19in drifts
BRITAIN was on alert last night as forecasters warned the worst snowstorms for nearly 30 years could dump up to 19 inches today.
Blizzards, drifting snow and ice could cause the most severe disruption since February 1991.
The nation faces widespread chaos on roads and transport networks with loss of power and phone signals likely as Storm Emma roars in.
It came as the Met Office yesterday issued a red warning for severe weather. A man died after falling through ice on a frozen lake.
The top-level red alert for snow across Scotland was the first ever north of the border.
Red warnings are rarely issued and carry the advice “take action now to keep yourself and others safe from the impact of the weather.
“Widespread damage, travel and power disruption and risk to life is likely.”
A raft of other severe weather alerts are in
place through the coming days with up to two feet of snow forecast by the weekend.
Emma will rip into the South-west tonight before spreading across the South through tomorrow morning.
People are advised to avoid nonessential travel with severe disruption expected on roads, railways and at airports.
Up to 19in is forecast to fall across London, south-west England, Wales and the West Midlands before tomorrow lunchtime.
Similar amounts are expected across northern and central England and Scotland with the whole country on alert for a deluge.
The South and South-east including London, East Anglia, Kent and the North-east bore the brunt of yesterday’s onslaught.
A man, believed to be in his 60s, died in hospital yesterday after being pulled from a frozen lake after he fell through the ice as he tried to save his dog.
Emergency services were called to Danson Park in Welling, south-east London.
He was taken to a south London hospital where he was later confirmed dead.
Flights were cancelled at London City, Glasgow and Newcastle airports with more than 100 grounded at London’s Heathrow.
Most railway operators were hit leading to long delays and cancellations on Britain’s train networks.
More than 4,000 schools across the nation were closed due to the bad weather with children likely to be told to stay at home again today.
Met Office chief forecaster Andy Page said today roads will be blocked while rural communities face being cut off for days.
He said: “Heavy snow showers and drifting of lying snow in the strong easterly winds will become more widespread overnight into Thursday.
“Roads will become blocked by deep snow with many stranded vehicles and passengers.
“Long delays and cancellations on bus, rail and air travel are expected, some communities could become cut off for several days.”
Freezing conditions and blizzards could knock power supplies out for days with disruption to mobile phone signals also possible, he said.
He added: “Widespread snow is expected to develop through Thursday afternoon and evening, accompanied by strong easterly winds, leading to drifting of lying snow in places.
“Around 10 to 20 centimetres [4-8in] is likely to fall quite widely, with the potential for up to 50 centimetres [19in] over parts of Dartmoor and Exmoor.
“There could be long interruptions to power supplies and other services.”
Britain is facing the longest cold snap in decades with freezing temperatures set to hold out until mid-March in parts, the Met Office said.
The severe weather is being driven by a “sudden stratospheric warming” of air over the North Pole.
Met Office meteorologist Frank Saunders, said: “Parts of England and Wales are likely to see their coldest spell of weather since at least 2013, and possibly since 1991.”
Health officials have reiterated warnings to take extra care with the weather likely to cause a surge in winter deaths.
Exacta Weather forecaster James Madden said: “We are experiencing a severe snow event with further downpours forecast through the rest of the week.
“Nowhere is going to escape the very heavy showers, it is not unreasonable to expect a couple of feet of snow to settle, there could be even more with drifting.
“We are looking at one of the worst snow events in South certainly since 2010 but we could have to go as far back as 1991 to see something on a similar scale.”
Malcolm Booth, chief executive of the National Federation of Occupational Pensioners, said: “We would urge people to stock up now before the weather gets too bad and it becomes dangerous to get out and about.
“Elderly and vulnerable people should take extra care to heat their
homes and now is the time for friends and neighbours to just keep an eye out in case people need help.”
Public Health England has extended a level-3 “cold weather action” health alert – one level below national emergency – into the weekend.
PHE’s Dr Thomas Waite said: “With more cold and for some snow on the way, now is the time to think ahead.
“Consider what you need to stock up on.
“It may be harder for some people to get out later this week when more snow arrives, so if you know someone at risk, someone with heart or lung conditions, young children or someone who is over 65, please take the time to check and see if there’s anything they need.”
Caroline Abrahams, charity director at Age UK said: “These Arctic conditions will be really challenging for many older people.
“With the country now firmly in the grip of the Beast from the East, we are urging people to stay warm, keep the heating on, and make sure they’re receiving all the help that’s available.”
The freezing weather threatens to turn roads across the country into ice rinks.
RAC spokesman Rod Dennis said: “Gritters have been out in force to help make our roads less slippery, but it’s worth drivers remembering that when temperatures really plummet grit can’t protect the road.
“We strongly urge drivers to slow down and take extra care to ensure a safe and trouble-free journey.”