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People are urged to keep an eye on the elderly and vulnerable as more heavy snow and icy conditions are expected to hit the UK.
The Met Office issued amber weather warnings for snow in the east and southeast of England for Sunday, which runs from Norwich to Canterbury, and warned that dangerous conditions could last into next week.
It also extended its yellow snow and ice warnings, covering the whole of the UK, from noon on Saturday to noon on Wednesday.
Met Office chief meteorologist Paul Gundersen said: “The UK will be in a remarkably cold and snowy period for the next week with very cold air across the UK by Sunday.”
“The rains will see the accumulation of snow in the eastern areas. Within the amber warning area, more widespread snow is expected and we could see 5 to 10 cm of snow quite extensive, with the possibility that some places can see 20 cm or more”.
Temperatures are likely to dip below freezing for many on Sunday, and by Monday, the average daytime temperature will be between 1 ° C and 4 ° C across the country.
It’s a sharp drop from the comparatively mild temperatures on Friday, as mercury rose to 11 ° C in some places earlier, and a possible return to the Christmas conditions experienced by many in the past month.
The RAC warned that it is bracing for a sharp increase in breakdowns in the coming days, and said people should think “very carefully” before setting out on a trip.
However, people should only leave their home for a very limited number of reasons, due to lockdown rules.
Dog walkers on a snowy Gold Hill, Shaftesbury, Dorset, after the snowfall in late January
With widespread night frosts and wind chill making daytime temperatures feel icy, Public Health England advises people to reach out to elderly and vulnerable family and neighbors.
Dr. Owen Landeg, leader of the Extreme Events and Health Protection group, said that for older people and those with heart and lung problems, the cold can “increase the risks of heart attacks, strokes and respiratory infections.” .
He added: “It is really crucial at this time, especially before a cold snap, to remember to keep an eye on frail or elderly neighbors or relatives, especially those who live alone or have serious illnesses.”
People are advised to call those who may need help and support, or to make a “socially distanced home visit” to check that they have enough food, drinks and any medications they need.
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Scotland: Gritters try to clear 2m snow mounds
The government and the NHS also hope that potentially disturbing weather will not affect the increasingly impressive coronavirus launch of vaccines.
Almost 11 million first hits have now been administered, but some older people were asked to rebook their appointments when heavy snow came in January.
Simon Partridge, a meteorologist with the Met Office, has said that continued snow showers and strong winds in the east on Sunday would result in “really bad” visibility and up to 20cm of snow in some areas.
Partridge warned: “As the snow is blowing, obviously there can be places where more will accumulate because it will drift.”
“That means a significant disruption, and obviously right now with vaccination centers open seven days a week, that can have a ripple effect there too. “
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Sledding in Dunstable as the snow falls
Kent He was relatively unscathed from last month’s snowfall, but people were warned to expect more this time.
Kent County Council Deputy Director of Public Health Allison Duggal said: “It is vital that during this extended period of severe weather, people act to keep themselves and their home warm, even if this is just by heating the bedroom. and the living room. “
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Heavy snowfall in Westminster
It comes after the drivers were stranded in six-foot snowdrifts in northern Scotland on Friday, and the amber warnings remain in place until noon Saturday.
RAC’s Ben Aldous said: “As patrol cars, we are well equipped to deal with the severe cold, but we urge drivers to think very carefully before leaving and question whether their trip is absolutely necessary.
“For anyone who has to drive, we highly recommend making sure your vehicle is ready for the cold.”
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