More chaos on the way after snow, ice & floods
Alert follows -14C coldest night Rain and wind to lash many
BLUSTERY showers will bring further chaos this week after snow and ice gripped the nation yesterday.
Scotland continued to experience the worst of the chill following the UK’s coldest night for two years, with -14.1C recorded at Braemar in Aberdeenshire.
Snow fell across the country, with a yellow warning covering much of Scotland, North Wales and England.
Widespread flooding hit some areas as snow quickly turned to slush, causing landslides and forcing some people to flee their homes. And icy patches on untreated roads and pavements created treacherous travel conditions.
Homes were evacuated and roads blocked in North Devon after widespread flooding sparked by heavy rain.
People were forced to evacuate homes in Kentisbury, near Barnstaple, and properties were flooded in Combe Martin on Exmoor. The A399 at Combe Martin was closed following a landslide reported at 10.35am yesterday and the A361 was shut near Landkey in Barnstaple. Mudslides were also reported at Muddiford, north of Barnstaple.
A woman was rescued when her car was stuck in 2ft of floodwater in Brayford, on Exmoor. Devon and Cornwall Police said: “We are dealing with a number of reports of flooded roads and properties. We would urge any member of the public to avoid travelling into or around the area unless the journey is critical. If anyone has to travel they should take care due to large amounts of water and debris.”
Flood warnings are in place on the River Wye in Herefordshire, and Riseley Brook in Bedfordshire.
In Somerset, Cheddar Gorge was closed to traffic after rain washed “rocks and debris” into it.
The M4 was closed near Bridgend after an accident on the westbound carriageway but there were no reported injuries. And North Wales Police warned of poor road conditions due to snow and ice, particularly on routes in Snowdonia.
At Glencoe in the Highlands, two climbers were airlifted to safety after spending Friday night 3,000ft up a mountain ridge at Bidean Nam Bain.
Meanwhile, temperatures rose to 11C in the far south-west of England. The Met Office said the near-20C difference with Braemar, caused as warmer air moves in, is “unusual for the UK” Fore- caster Becky Mitchell added: “As we head through to [Monday] it’s a more positive picture for some of us.
“There will be sunny spells and showers, and generally milder for many. But there’s a breeze taking the edge off those temperatures and we’re sticking with windy conditions through the week.”
It will be milder, but we’re sticking with windier conditions through the week BECKY MITCHELL MET OFFICE FORECASTER ON OUTLOOK