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On November 20, large parts of the United Kingdom woke up to snow as temperatures dropped overnight. Transportation delays, school closures, and challenging driving conditions accompanied the snow's arrival. Severe weather warnings continued across the region, as more snow and ice are set to arrive.
Curious to know more? Click through the following gallery to find out.
Across the UK, sudden freezing temperatures and snowfall have caused travel disruptions.
Weather forecasters are warning that conditions may cause power cuts, road closures, and limited access to rural areas.
Across the United Kingdom, temperatures fell to between -1°C (30.2°F) and -4°C (24.8°F) on the morning of November 20.
The cause of the sudden weather change is an Arctic maritime air mass.
All the United Kingdom is under yellow weather warnings, as more snow and ice are set to arrive.
What does a yellow warning mean? Likely travel disruptions and dangers pertaining to icy ground.
The coming days are set to bring in lower than average November temperatures, reaching freezing by night.
For London, average night temperatures for this time of year are around 5°C (41°F). This week, they’ll drop to -2°C (28.4°F).
New records have been set as well. On November 18, temperatures reaching -11.2°C (11.84°F) resulted in Scotland experiencing its coldest early winter night since 1998.
Rough road conditions caused a bus to end up on its side, as “the first taste of winter” took communities by surprise.
A Royal Automobile Club spokesperson warned travelers to come prepared, traveling with essentials, such as "a blanket, warm waterproof coat and gloves, sturdy footwear and a charging cable and mobile power bank."
In Wales, nearly 15% of transportation services have been disrupted.
In addition, the UK Health Security Agency has also issued an amber cold weather health alert for several regions, warning of impacts to health services.
With colder weather comes increased costs, and the government will continue offering assistance for fuel bills for those who qualify.
Government measures to provide financial assistance are critical to ensure people remain with access to heat during the coldest days.
Over 220 schools were closed across the United Kingdom, including some universities.
Darren Clark, Severe Weather Resilience Manager for National Highways, urged drivers to pack a “snow kit” in case they get stuck on the roads. This is generally made up of blankets, food, water, and a shovel.
Up to 12 cm (4.7 in) of snow was reported in parts of England.
Given the Arctic air that caused the weather pattern, cold temperatures will likely continue throughout this week, which means warnings will also likely continue until there is significant change.
Vulnerable people, particularly the elderly and ill, are at particular risk when weather changes like these occur.
Even with government assistance, rising costs of fuel have made people more cautious about costs, and, therefore, resistant to turning on their heaters.
In conjunction with the rising cost of food, people across the United Kingdom have had to carefully consider where they will spend their money.
By cutting back on heating, vulnerable communities may be exposing themselves to cold temperatures for extended periods of time.
For older people, especially those already managing illnesses or other ailments, cold exposure could have serious impacts on their health.
People with dementia or other cognitive disorders may have difficulty perceiving cold temperatures, so they may not communicate their need for heat or other resources.
Those with asthma or other lung conditions are also quite vulnerable in cold weather, which can trigger breathing issues.
Snow showers that began on November 19 are set to continue throughout this week, with up to 20 cm (7.8 in) of snowfall in some areas.
Local authorities and organizations will continue monitoring the weather conditions, as they are set to worsen in the coming days.
Met Office spokesman Stephen Dixon notes the weather pattern will feel like “that first taste of winter for many, with that snow and ice risk layered on top.”
Sources: (BBC) (The Guardian)
See also: The snowiest places on Earth
In pictures: Snow-covered UK sees temperatures drop drastically overnight
More snow and ice warnings continue to come in
LIFESTYLE Weather
On November 20, large parts of the United Kingdom woke up to snow as temperatures dropped overnight. Transportation delays, school closures, and challenging driving conditions accompanied the snow's arrival. Severe weather warnings continued across the region, as more snow and ice are set to arrive.
Curious to know more? Click through the following gallery to find out.