Britain heading for five-day cold snap

Britain is facing a five-day cold snap with icy rush hours and sub-zero temperatures across the country. The Met Office has issued a yellow warning for ice in all four nations, more than 80 flood warnings are in place, and temperatures are due to drop below zero in most places at night. Cold air from the north was predicted to move south overnight into this morning, with “wintry showers” in Northern Ireland, northern England, North Wales and the north Midlands.

BRITAIN is facing a five-day cold snap with icy rush hours and sub-zero temperatures across the country after weeks of mild conditions.

The Met Office has issued a yellow warning for ice in all four nations, more than 80 flood warnings are in place, and temperatures are due to drop below zero in most places at night.

Cold air from the north was predicted to move south overnight into this morning, with “wintry showers” in Northern Ireland, northern England, North Wales and the north Midlands.

This morning’s rush hour would be “tricky”, the Met Office said. The South East, particularly high ground in Kent and Sussex, could expect sleet and snow overnight into this morning.

Temperatures will struggle to climb despite sunshine today, Craig Snell, a Met Office forecaster, said.

“That will then cause a very cold night on Monday, with widespread frost right across the country which could see temperatures down to -10C in Scotland and well below freezing further south,” he said. “We could see further sleet and snow tonight, possibly down towards the South West.”

Motorists are advised to allow extra time to de-ice vehicles this week, and for walking on slippery pavements.

Disruption is expected after a main line collapsed following rain, leaving one track hanging in mid-air.

The 50-yard long landslip was north of Hook in Hampshire, on the London to Basingstoke line.

Mark Killick, Network Rail Wessex route director, said: “We’re still assessing the damage and it’s difficult to put a detailed timescale in place, but we know it’s going to be at least a week.

“We need to stabilise the embankment, essentially stopping it moving, and then rebuild the railway where it has slid away.”

The Environment Agency said a “huge operation” is under way to contain flooding in areas affected by rain.

Last night, efforts were under way to control overflowing rivers in Somerset – in an area prone to flooding because it is below sea level.

Between 10 and 20 homes have been flooded in Wessex, and Environment Agency workers from Yorkshire have been drafted in to help prevent further damage.