BRACE YOURSELF FOR BALTIC BEAST
» Dangerous blizzards threat » Travel and ‘stay warm’ alerts
A “BEAST from the Baltic” will batter Britain today bringing heavy snow, dangerous blizzards and sub-zero temperatures.
The cold front is set to bring snow across large areas of the South and East of the country.
As the Met Office issued a series of weather warnings, Public Health England urged people to keep an eye on elderly neighbours or relatives.
Dr Owen Landeg, group leader of extreme events and health protection, said: “For older people and those with heart and lung problems, cold weather can increase the risks of heart attacks, strokes and chest infections.
“Please check on frail or older neighbours or relatives, especially those living alone or who have serious illnesses.
“Make a call or a socially distanced doorstep visit. Check they have enough food, drinks and any medicines they need.”
Up to 50cm of snow is already covering higher ground in Scotland and blizzards were heading south, with flood warnings for the North East.
Met Office meteorologist Alex Deakin urged everyone to check forecasts before they travel.
He said: “We’re entering into a particularly wintry spell with severe weather.
“There are amber warnings across Scotland and the South
East for Sunday.
“There could be heavy snow across East Anglia and the South East, possibly over 20cm, and dangerous conditions.
“It will struggle to get over freezing – add on wind chill and it will feel much colder.”
The Environment Agency has almost 40 of its secondmost severe flood warnings in place, with more than 130 less severe alerts.
The Midlands and South East are “most likely to see disruptive snow” until noon on Sunday.
Kent county council deputy director of public health Allison Duggal advised: “It is vital that people keep themselves and their home warm.”
Meanwhile, around 22 vehicles were stranded in 90cm snowdrifts at Loch Droma, north-west of Inverness.
Ben Aldous, RAC patrol of the year, said: “We urge drivers to think extremely carefully about whether their journey is absolutely necessary.”
We are entering a particularly wintry spell with severe weather ALEX DEAKIN MET OFFICE METEOROLOGIST